UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE
13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of March 2022.
Commission File Number 001-31722
New Gold Inc.
Suite 3320 - 181 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2T3
Canada
(Address of principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F ☐ Form
40-F ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ☐
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission
in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ☐
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission
in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and
make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant’s
“home country”), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s securities are traded, as
long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant’s
security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing
on EDGAR.
DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THIS FORM 6-K
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
NEW GOLD INC. |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Sean Keating |
|
Date: March 28, 2022 |
|
Sean Keating |
|
|
Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
Exhibit 99.1
Notice
of Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
Notice is hereby given that the annual general meeting of shareholders (“Meeting”) of New Gold Inc. (“New
Gold” or the “Company”) will be held virtually at https://web.lumiagm.com/453499456
on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) for the following purposes:
| 1. | receiving the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the auditor’s
report on those statements; |
| 2. | electing the directors of the Company; |
| 3. | appointing Deloitte LLP as auditor of the Company and authorizing the directors to fix its remuneration; |
| 4. | considering and, if deemed appropriate, passing, with or without variation, a non-binding advisory resolution on executive compensation;
and |
| 5. | conducting such other business properly brought before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
New Gold has been carefully monitoring developments with respect
to the global health crisis caused by COVID-19. Given the continuing uncertain circumstances in which we collectively find ourselves,
and in light of New Gold’s commitment to the health and well-being of its shareholders, employees, communities and other stakeholders,
New Gold will be conducting the Meeting virtually. Shareholders will not be able to attend the Meeting physically. At the virtual Meeting,
registered shareholders, non-registered (or beneficial) shareholders and their duly appointed proxyholders will be able to participate,
ask questions and vote in “real time” through an online portal. Non-registered shareholders must carefully follow the procedures
set out in the management information circular (the “Circular”) that accompanies this notice if they wish to appoint
themselves as a proxyholder to vote at the virtual Meeting and ask questions through the live webcast. Non-registered shareholders who
do not follow the procedures set out in the Circular will nonetheless be able to view a live webcast of the Meeting but will not be able
to ask questions or vote. New Gold firmly believes that a virtual Meeting gives all shareholders an equal opportunity to participate,
regardless of their geographic location or the particular constraints, circumstances or risks that they may be facing as a result of COVID-19.
It should be noted that the vast majority of our shareholders
vote in advance of the Meeting by proxy and are encouraged to continue to do so via the various channels outlined in the Circular. The
virtual Meeting does not change voting by proxy. However, those that wish to participate in the virtual Meeting or to appoint a proxy
to participate, are encouraged to carefully read the instructions in the Circular and in particular the procedure for appointing yourself
or a proxy.
The record date for the Meeting is March 14, 2022. The
record date is the date for the determination of the registered holders of common shares entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at,
the Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
This notice is accompanied by the Circular and either a proxy
form or a voting instruction form. If previously requested, a copy of the audited consolidated financial statements and management’s
discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) of New Gold for the year ended December 31, 2021 will also accompany this notice.
Copies of New Gold’s annual and interim financial statements and MD&A are also available under New Gold’s profile on
SEDAR at www.sedar.com, on EDGAR at www.sec.gov and on
New Gold’s website at www.newgold.com. As described in the notice and access notification
mailed to shareholders, New Gold is using the notice and access method for delivering this notice and the Circular to shareholders. This
notice and the Circular will be available on New Gold’s website at https://newgold.com/news-events/annual-meeting-of-shareholders/default.aspx
and under New Gold’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
1 | |
We value your opinion and participation in the Meeting as
a shareholder of New Gold. For your information, the Meeting is not expected to include a formal presentation by management, but there
will be an opportunity for shareholders to ask questions. Please review the accompanying Circular before voting, as it contains important
information about the Meeting. It is important that you exercise your vote, either virtually at the Meeting or by proxy. Any questions
regarding voting your common shares should be directed to New Gold’s advisor and proxy solicitation agent, Kingsdale Advisors,
which can be reached by toll-free telephone in North America at 1-866-581-1477, by collect call outside North America at 1-416-867-2272,
or by email at contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com. Any proxies to be used or acted on at the Meeting
must be deposited with New Gold’s transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services, by 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on April 29, 2022,
or no later than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the time of any adjourned or postponed Meeting. Non-registered
(or beneficial) holders must provide their voting instructions to their intermediaries sufficiently in advance of this deadline to allow
the intermediary sufficient time to forward this information to Computershare Investor Services.
DATED at Toronto, Ontario this 18th day of March, 2022.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Ian Pearce
Chair of the Board
2 | |
Exhibit 99.2
Notice
of Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
Notice is hereby given that the annual general meeting of shareholders (“Meeting”) of New Gold Inc. (“New
Gold” or the “Company”) will be held virtually at https://web.lumiagm.com/453499456 on Tuesday, May 3, 2022
at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) for the following purposes:
| 1. | receiving the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the auditor’s
report on those statements; |
| 2. | electing the directors of the Company; |
| 3. | appointing Deloitte LLP as auditor of the Company and authorizing the directors to fix its remuneration; |
| 4. | considering and, if deemed appropriate, passing, with or without variation, a non-binding advisory resolution on executive compensation;
and |
| 5. | conducting such other business properly brought before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
New Gold has been carefully monitoring developments with respect
to the global health crisis caused by COVID-19. Given the continuing uncertain circumstances in which we collectively find ourselves,
and in light of New Gold’s commitment to the health and well-being of its shareholders, employees, communities and other stakeholders,
New Gold will be conducting the Meeting virtually. Shareholders will not be able to attend the Meeting physically. At the virtual Meeting,
registered shareholders, non-registered (or beneficial) shareholders and their duly appointed proxyholders will be able to participate,
ask questions and vote in “real time” through an online portal. Non-registered shareholders must carefully follow the procedures
set out in the management information circular (the “Circular”) that accompanies this notice if they wish to appoint
themselves as a proxyholder to vote at the virtual Meeting and ask questions through the live webcast. Non-registered shareholders who
do not follow the procedures set out in the Circular will nonetheless be able to view a live webcast of the Meeting but will not be able
to ask questions or vote. New Gold firmly believes that a virtual Meeting gives all shareholders an equal opportunity to participate,
regardless of their geographic location or the particular constraints, circumstances or risks that they may be facing as a result of COVID-19.
It should be noted that the vast majority of our shareholders
vote in advance of the Meeting by proxy and are encouraged to continue to do so via the various channels outlined in the Circular. The
virtual Meeting does not change voting by proxy. However, those that wish to participate in the virtual Meeting or to appoint a proxy
to participate, are encouraged to carefully read the instructions in the Circular and in particular the procedure for appointing yourself
or a proxy.
The record date for the Meeting is March 14, 2022. The
record date is the date for the determination of the registered holders of common shares entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at,
the Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
This notice is accompanied by the Circular and either a proxy
form or a voting instruction form. If previously requested, a copy of the audited consolidated financial statements and management’s
discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) of New Gold for the year ended December 31, 2021 will also accompany this notice.
Copies of New Gold’s annual and interim financial statements and MD&A are also available under New Gold’s profile on SEDAR
at www.sedar.com, on EDGAR at www.sec.gov and on New Gold’s website at www.newgold.com. As described in the notice and access notification
mailed to shareholders, New Gold is using the notice and access method for delivering this notice and the Circular to shareholders. This
notice and the Circular will be available on New Gold’s website at https://newgold.com/news-events/annual-meeting-of-shareholders/default.aspx
and under New Gold’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
2 | |
We value your opinion and participation in the Meeting as
a shareholder of New Gold. For your information, the Meeting is not expected to include a formal presentation by management, but there
will be an opportunity for shareholders to ask questions. Please review the accompanying Circular before voting, as it contains important
information about the Meeting. It is important that you exercise your vote, either virtually at the Meeting or by proxy. Any questions
regarding voting your common shares should be directed to New Gold’s advisor and proxy solicitation agent, Kingsdale Advisors, which
can be reached by toll-free telephone in North America at 1-866-581-1477, by collect call outside North America at 1-416-867-2272, or
by email at contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com. Any proxies to be used or acted on at the Meeting must be deposited with New Gold’s
transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services, by 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on April 29, 2022, or no later than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays,
Sundays and holidays) before the time of any adjourned or postponed Meeting. Non-registered (or beneficial) holders must provide their
voting instructions to their intermediaries sufficiently in advance of this deadline to allow the intermediary sufficient time to forward
this information to Computershare Investor Services.
DATED at Toronto, Ontario this 18th day of March, 2022.
Ian Pearce
Chair of the Board
3 | |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
General Information |
4 |
Meeting and voting information |
5 |
VOTING INFORMATION |
6 |
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION |
12 |
BUSINESS OF THE MEETING |
13 |
1. |
Receiving the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements |
13 |
2. |
Election of Directors |
13 |
3. |
Appointment of Auditor |
25 |
4. |
Say on Pay Advisory Vote |
25 |
GOVERNANCE AT A GLANCE |
27 |
STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
28 |
STATEMENT OF DIRECTOR COMPENSATION |
62 |
Sustainability and esg |
67 |
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES |
71 |
OTHER INFORMATION |
88 |
SCHEDULE A - EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS |
90 |
SCHEDULE B - BOARD OF DIRECTORS MANDATE |
99 |
General
Information
Unless otherwise stated, the information contained in this Circular
is as of March 18, 2022, and all dollar amounts in this Circular refer to Canadian dollars. United States dollars are referred to as “US$”.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
4 | |
Meeting
and voting information
WHO
IS SOLICITING MY PROXY?
You have received this management information circular (the
“Circular”) because you owned common shares (“Shares”) of New Gold Inc. (“New Gold”
or the “Company”) as of the close of business on the record date of March 14, 2022, and are entitled to receive notice
of, and vote at, our annual general meeting of shareholders (“Meeting”).
Management is soliciting your proxy for the Meeting. While
it is expected that the solicitation will be made by mail, proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone by directors, officers
and employees of New Gold. The Company has also retained the services of Kingsdale Advisors (“Kingsdale”) to act as
advisor and solicit proxies on behalf of management. Fees for Kingsdale’s solicitation services are anticipated to be $60,900 plus
disbursements. The costs of preparing and distributing Meeting materials and the cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by New Gold.
Shareholders with questions about voting their Shares may
contact Kingsdale by toll-free telephone in North America at 1-866-581-1477, by collect call outside North America at 1-416-867-2272,
or by email at contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
References in this Circular to the Meeting include any adjournment(s)
or postponement(s) thereof.
how
ARE meeting materials BEING delivered to shareholders?
New Gold is using the notice and access regime (“Notice
and Access”) adopted by the Canadian securities regulators for the delivery of the notice of meeting (the “Notice of
Meeting”), the Circular and the proxy form or voting instruction form (collectively, the “Meeting Materials”),
as applicable, to registered and beneficial shareholders for the Meeting. Under Notice and Access, instead of receiving printed copies
of the Meeting Materials, shareholders received a copy of the Notice of Meeting with instructions for accessing the Circular online. New
Gold has adopted the Notice and Access delivery process to further its commitment to environmental sustainability and to reduce its printing
and mailing costs.
New Gold has sent the Notice of Meeting and proxy form directly
to registered shareholders and has distributed copies of the Notice of Meeting and voting instruction form to non-registered shareholders
through their intermediaries and clearing agencies. Management of New Gold does not intend to pay for intermediaries to forward the Meeting
Materials to objecting beneficial owners under National Instrument 54-101 - Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a
Reporting Issuer. An objecting beneficial owner will not receive the materials unless the objecting beneficial owner’s intermediary
assumes the cost of delivery.
Shareholders may request that printed copies of the Meeting
Materials be sent to them by postal delivery at no cost to them up to one year from the date this Circular is filed on SEDAR. Requests
may be made through New Gold’s website, www.newgold.com, or by calling 1-833-324-6018. To receive the Meeting Materials in advance
of the proxy cut-off deadline (as defined below) and Meeting date, New Gold must receive requests for printed copies of the Meeting Materials
at least seven business days in advance of the proxy cut-off deadline.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
5 | |
WHEN
AND WHERE IS THE Meeting BEING HELD?
The Meeting is being held virtually at https://web.lumiagm.com/453499456
at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on May 3, 2022 for the purposes set out in the Notice of Meeting.
why
is new gold holding the meeting virtually?
Due to ongoing public health concerns related to the COVID-19
pandemic, and in order to ensure the health and well-being of its shareholders, employees, communities and other stakeholders, New Gold’s
board of directors (the “Board”) and management have again decided to conduct the Meeting virtually. Registered shareholders
and duly appointed proxyholders will be able to vote in real time and ask questions at the Meeting. Non-registered shareholders who have
not duly appointed themselves as proxyholders may attend the Meeting as guests. Guests may listen but cannot vote at the Meeting or ask
questions. New Gold firmly believes that a virtual Meeting gives all shareholders an equal opportunity to participate, regardless of their
geographic location or the particular constraints, circumstances or health risks that they may be facing.
How
many shareholders are needed to reach a quorum?
The Company must have at least two people present at the Meeting
who hold, or represent by proxy, in aggregate, at least 5% of the issued and outstanding Shares of New Gold entitled to be voted at the
Meeting. Shareholders who participate in and/or vote at the Meeting virtually are deemed to be present at the Meeting for all purposes,
including quorum.
Does
any shareholder beneficially own 10% or more of the outstanding NEW GOLD Shares?
To the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of
New Gold, as of the date of this Circular, no person or company beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or exercises control or direction
over, voting securities carrying 10% or more of the voting rights attached to any class of voting securities of New Gold.
VOTING
INFORMATION
Who
Can Vote?
You are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the
Meeting if you held Shares of New Gold at the close of business on the record date for the Meeting, being March 14, 2022. As of the record
date, New Gold had 681,251,846 Shares issued and outstanding. Each Share entitles the holder to one vote on the items to be voted on at
the Meeting.
How
Do I Vote My Shares?
The manner in which you vote your Shares depends on whether
you are a registered shareholder or a non-registered (or beneficial) shareholder. You are a registered shareholder if you have
a Share certificate issued in your name and appear as the registered shareholder on the books of Company. You are a non-registered
shareholder if your New Gold Shares are registered in the name of an intermediary, such as a bank, trust company, investment dealer,
clearing agency or other institution.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
6 | |
If you are not sure whether you are a registered or non-registered
shareholder, please contact Kingsdale by toll-free telephone in North America at 1-866-581-1477, by collect call outside North America
at 1-416-867-2272 or by email at contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
How do I vote if I am a registered shareholder?
Voting by Proxy
Voting by proxy is the easiest way for registered shareholders
to cast their vote. You can vote by proxy in any of the following ways:
By Telephone: |
Call Computershare toll-free in North America 1-866-732-8683
or outside North America 1-312-588-4290. You will need your 15-digit control number, which can be found on your proxy form.
Please note that you cannot appoint anyone other than the
directors and officers named on your proxy form as your proxyholder if you vote by telephone. See below under the heading “How
will my Shares be voted if I return a proxy?” for more information. |
By Internet: |
Go to Computershare’s website at www.investorvote.com and follow the instructions on the screen. You will need your 15-digit control number, which can be found on your proxy form. See below under the heading “How will my Shares be voted if I return a proxy?” for more information. |
By Mail or Fax: |
Complete, sign and date your proxy form and return it to Computershare Trust Company of Canada, Attention: Proxy Department, 8th Floor, 100 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5J 2Y1 in the envelope provided or fax a copy of the completed, signed and dated proxy form to Computershare at 1-866-249-7775. See below under the heading “How will my Shares be voted if I return a proxy?” for more information. |
You may appoint a person other than the directors and officers
designated by the Company on your proxy form to represent you and vote on your behalf at the Meeting. This person does not have to
be a shareholder. To do so, strike out the names of our directors and officers that are printed on the proxy form and write the name of
the person you are appointing in the space provided. Complete your voting instructions, sign and date the proxy form, and return it to
Computershare as instructed. In addition, for your proxyholder to attend and participate in the virtual Meeting, you must also register
the appointment of your proxyholder at www.computershare.com/newgold and provide Computershare with your proxyholder’s contact information
so that Computershare may provide the proxyholder with a Username via email to vote at the Meeting. Registering your proxyholder is
an additional step which must be completed by no later than 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on April 29, 2022 (or no later than 48 hours, excluding
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, before the time of any adjourned or postponed Meeting). Failure to register the proxyholder will result
in the proxyholder not receiving a Username to participate in the Meeting. Please ensure that the person you appoint is aware that
he or she has been appointed to attend the virtual Meeting on your behalf.
If you have complied with the steps described above, prior
to the Meeting, Computershare will contact your proxyholder via email with a unique Username/control number which, along with the password
“newgold2022” (case sensitive), will allow your proxyholder to log in to the live webcast and vote at the Meeting using the
LUMI meeting platform. Without a control number, you or your proxyholder will not be able to ask questions or vote at the Meeting.
Please see below, under the headings “How can I log in to the virtual Meeting” and “How will my Shares
be voted if I return a proxy?” for more information.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
7 | |
Voting in Person via Internet Webcast
Registered shareholders have the ability to participate, ask
questions and vote at the Meeting using the LUMI meeting platform. Eligible registered shareholders may log in at https://web.lumiagm.com/453499456
click on “I have a Control Number”, enter the 15-digit control number found on the proxy, and the password “newgold2022”
(case sensitive), then click on the “Login” button. During the Meeting, you must ensure you are connected to the Internet
at all times in order to vote when polling is commenced on the resolutions put before the Meeting. It is your responsibility to ensure
Internet connectivity. You will also need to have the latest version of Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox. Please do not use Internet Explorer.
As internal network security protocols (such as firewalls or VPN connections) may block access to the LUMI meeting platform, please ensure
that you use a network that is not restricted by the security settings of your organization or that you have disabled your VPN settings.
It is recommended that you log in at least an hour before the start of the Meeting. Non-registered shareholders must follow the procedures
outlined below to participate in the Meeting using the LUMI meeting platform. Non-registered shareholders who fail to comply with
the procedures outlined below may nonetheless view a live webcast of the Meeting by going to the same URL as above and clicking on “I
am a guest”.
How do I vote if I am a non-registered (or
beneficial) shareholder?
Submitting Voting Instructions
You will receive a voting instruction form that allows you
to vote on the Internet, by telephone or by mail. To vote, you should follow the instructions provided on your voting instruction form.
Your intermediary is required to ask for your voting instructions before the Meeting. Please contact your intermediary if you did not
receive a voting instruction form. Alternatively, you may receive from your intermediary a pre-authorized proxy form indicating the number
of Shares to be voted, which you should complete, sign, date, and return as directed on the form. Each intermediary has its own procedures
which should be carefully followed by non-registered shareholders to ensure that their Shares are voted by their intermediary on their
behalf at the Meeting.
New Gold may utilize the Broadridge QuickVote™ service
to assist non-registered shareholders with voting their Shares over the telephone. Alternatively, Kingsdale may contact non-registered
shareholders who do not object to their names being known to the Company to assist them with conveniently voting their Shares directly
over the phone. If you have any questions about the Meeting, please contact Kingsdale by telephone at 1-866-581-1477 (toll-free in North
America) or 1-416-867-2272 (collect outside North America) or by email at contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
Voting in Person Via Internet Webcast
New Gold does not have access to the names or holdings of
non-registered shareholders. This means that you can only vote your Shares virtually at the Meeting if: (a) you have previously appointed
yourself as the proxyholder for your Shares by printing your name in the space provided on your voting instruction form and submitting
it as directed on the form; and (b) by no later than 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on April 29, 2022 (or no later than 48 hours, excluding
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, before the time of any adjourned or postponed Meeting), you have registered your appointment at www.computershare.com/newgold.
If you have completed these two steps within the required timeframe, then, prior to the Meeting, Computershare will contact you via email
with your unique Username/control number which, along with the password “newgold2022” (case sensitive), will allow you to
log in to the live webcast and vote at the Meeting using the LUMI meeting platform. Without a control number, you will not be able
to ask questions or vote at the Meeting.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
8 | |
You may also appoint a person other than the directors
and officers designated by the Company as the proxyholder for your Shares by printing their name in the space provided on your voting
instruction form and submitting it as directed on the form. If your proxyholder intends to participate in the virtual Meeting, you
will need to register the appointment of your proxyholder at www.computershare.com/newgold by no later than 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on
April 29, 2022 (or no later than 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, before the time of any adjourned or postponed Meeting).
If your proxyholder has been properly appointed, Computershare will contact your proxyholder via email prior to the Meeting with a Username/control
number which, along with the password “newgold2022” (case sensitive), will allow your proxyholder to participate in, and vote
at, the Meeting using the LUMI meeting platform.
Your voting instructions must be received in sufficient
time to allow your voting instruction form to be forwarded by your intermediary to Computershare before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on April
29, 2022. If you plan to participate in the virtual Meeting (or to have your proxyholder attend the virtual Meeting), you or your proxyholder
will not be entitled to vote or ask questions online unless the proper documentation is completed and received by your intermediary well
in advance of the Meeting to allow them to forward the necessary information to Computershare before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on April
29, 2022. You should contact your intermediary well in advance of the Meeting and follow its instructions if you want to participate
in the virtual Meeting.
Please see below under the heading “How can I log
in to the virtual Meeting?” for more information.
Notice for US beneficial holders
To attend and vote at the virtual Meeting, you must first
obtain a valid legal proxy from your intermediary and then register in advance to attend the Meeting. Follow the instructions from your
intermediary included with the proxy materials or contact your intermediary to request a legal proxy form. After first obtaining a valid
legal proxy form from your intermediary, to then register to attend the virtual Meeting, you must submit a copy of your legal proxy form
to Computershare. Requests for registration should be directed to:
Computershare Trust Company of Canada
100 University Avenue
8th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M5J 2Y1
OR
Email at uslegalproxy@computershare.com
Requests for registration must be labeled as “Legal
Proxy” and be received no later than April 29, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time). You will receive a confirmation of your registration
by email after Computershare receives your registration materials. Please note that you are also required to register your appointment
at www.computershare.com/newgold. Once you have complied with those two steps, Computershare will contact you prior to the Meeting via
email with your unique Username/control number which, along with the password “newgold2022” (case sensitive), will allow you
to log in to the live webcast and vote at the Meeting at https://web.lumiagm.com/453499456 using the LUMI meeting platform. Without
a control number, you will not be able to ask questions or vote at the Meeting.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
9 | |
Is
There A Deadline For My Proxy To Be Received?
Yes. New Gold must receive your voting instructions by 4:00
p.m. (Eastern Time) on Friday, April 29, 2022 (the “proxy cut-off deadline”) to ensure that your Shares are voted
at the Meeting. If the Meeting is adjourned or postponed, your proxy must be received by 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the second-last business
day before the reconvened meeting.
As noted above, if you are a non-registered shareholder, all
required voting instructions must be submitted to your intermediary sufficiently in advance of the proxy cut-off deadline to allow your
intermediary time to forward this information to Computershare by the proxy cut-off deadline. New Gold reserves the right to accept late
proxies and to waive the proxy cut-off deadline, with or without notice, but New Gold is under no obligation to accept or reject any particular
late proxy.
How
Can I Log In To The Virtual Meeting?
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March
14, 2022 and other permitted attendees may virtually attend the Meeting. Attending the Meeting virtually allows registered shareholders
and duly appointed proxyholders, including non-registered shareholders who have duly appointed themselves or a third party as proxyholder,
to participate, ask questions and vote at the Meeting using the LUMI meeting platform. Guests, including non-registered shareholders who
have not duly appointed themselves or a third party as proxyholder, can log in to the virtual Meeting as a guest. Guests may view a live
webcast of the Meeting but will not be entitled to vote or ask questions.
| • | Registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders may log in online at https://web.lumiagm.com/453499456,
click on “I have a Control Number”, enter the 15-digit control number found on the proxy or provided to a duly appointed
proxyholder, as applicable, and the password “newgold2022” (case sensitive), then click on the “Login” button.
New Gold recommends that you log in at least one hour before the Meeting begins. For registered shareholders, the control number is located
on your proxy form. For duly appointed proxyholders (including non-registered shareholders who have appointed themselves), your control
number will be provided by Computershare, provided that you or your proxyholder has been duly appointed in accordance with the procedures
outlined in this Circular. |
| • | Non-registered shareholders may view a live webcast of the Meeting by going to the same URL noted above and clicking on “I am
a guest”. |
During the Meeting, you must ensure that you are connected to the
Internet at all times in order to vote when polling is commenced on the resolutions put before the Meeting. It is your responsibility
to ensure Internet connectivity. You will also need to have the latest version of Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox. Please do not use Internet
Explorer. As internal network security protocols (such as firewalls or VPN connections) may block access to the LUMI meeting platform,
please ensure that you use a network that is not restricted by the security settings of your organization or that you have disabled your
VPN settings. It is recommended that you log in at least an hour before the start of the Meeting. Note that if you lose connectivity once
the Meeting has commenced, there may be insufficient time to resolve your issue before polling is completed. Therefore, even if you currently
plan to vote during the Meeting, you should consider voting your Shares in advance or by proxy, so that your vote will be counted in the
event you experience any technical difficulties or are otherwise unable to access the Meeting. In an effort to mitigate any potential
issues relating to logging into or participating during the Meeting, the Company has posted a Virtual AGM User Guide on its website at
https://newgold.com/news-events/annual-meeting-of-shareholders/default.aspx, and filed it on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov,
and shareholders are encouraged to review it prior to the Meeting. Shareholders with questions regarding the virtual meeting portal or
requiring assistance accessing the Meeting website may visit the website https://www.lumiglobal.com/faq for additional information. Shareholders
experiencing technical difficulties or otherwise requiring assistance with the Meeting website an hour before the Meeting or during the
Meeting can contact technical support at support-ca@lumiglobal.com. It is recommended including the event name, meeting ID, Username and
issue when contacting support or having such information available so that technical support can more quickly provide assistance.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
10 | |
New Gold believes that the ability to participate in the Meeting
in a meaningful way, including asking questions, remains important despite the decision to hold this year’s Meeting virtually. Registered
shareholders, non-registered shareholders who have appointed themselves as proxyholders, and third party-proxyholders accessing the Meeting
will have an opportunity to ask questions and otherwise participate in the Meeting in writing by sending a message to the Chair of the
Meeting online through the LUMI platform. It is anticipated that shareholders will have substantially the same opportunity to engage on
matters of business before the Meeting as in past years when the annual shareholders meeting was held in person. Matters properly brought
before the Meeting will pertain to the formal business of the Meeting. To ensure fairness for all, the Chair of the Meeting will decide
and announce the order of questions to be responded to, and the amount of time allocated to each question. The Chair can edit or reject
questions considered inappropriate.
How
Will My Shares Be Voted If I Return A Proxy?
By completing and returning a proxy form, you are authorizing
the person named in the proxy to attend the Meeting and vote your Shares or withhold your Shares from voting on each item of business
according to your instructions. If you sign and return your proxy form without designating a proxyholder and do not give voting instructions
or specify that you want your Shares withheld from voting, the New Gold representatives will vote your Shares as follows:
| • | FOR the election of the nominee directors to the Board; |
| • | FOR the appointment of Deloitte LLP as the Company’s auditor and the authorization of the directors to fix the auditor’s
remuneration; and |
| • | FOR the non-binding advisory resolution approving the Company’s approach to executive compensation. |
What
Happens If There Are Amendments, Variations Or Other Matters Brought Before The Meeting?
Your proxy authorizes your proxyholder to act and vote for
you on any amendment or variation of any of the business of the Meeting and on any other matter that properly comes before the Meeting.
Your proxy is effective at any continuation following an adjournment of the Meeting. As of March 18,
2022, no director or officer of the Company is aware of any variation, amendment or other matter to be presented for a vote at the Meeting.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
11 | |
How
Do I revoke My Proxy?
If you change your mind about how you wish to vote your Shares,
you can revoke your proxy in one of the following ways:
| • | voting again on the Internet or by phone before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on April 29, 2022; |
| • | completing a proxy form or voting instruction form that is dated later than the proxy form or voting instruction form that you are
changing, and mailing it or faxing it as instructed on your proxy form or voting instruction form, as the case may be, so that it is received
before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on April 29, 2022; or |
| • | any other means permitted by law. |
If you are a registered shareholder, you can also revoke a
vote you made by sending a notice in writing from you or your authorized attorney to our Corporate Secretary so that it is received before
4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on April 29, 2022, or giving notice in writing from you or your authorized attorney to the Chair of the Meeting,
at the Meeting or at any adjournment. The revocation of a proxy does not affect any matter on which a vote has been taken before the revocation.
OTHER
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
What
is the deadline for making a shareholder proposal at the next annual meeting of shareholders?
The final date for submission of proposals to shareholders
for inclusion in the information circular in connection with next year’s annual meeting of shareholders is February 3, 2023.
are
there any shareholder proposals being considered at the meeting?
There are no shareholder proposals being considered at the
Meeting.
where
can i find financial information relating to the company?
New Gold’s financial information is contained in our
comparative audited annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021, and related MD&A, both of which can be found
on the Company’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, on EDGAR at www.sec.gov and on the Company’s
website at https://www.newgold.com/investors/financial-information/reports-and-financials/default.aspx.
How
do i nominate a candidate for election to the Board?
The Company adopted an Advance Notice Policy in 2015. Shareholders
are required to comply with the Advance Notice Policy in connection with director nominations other than pursuant to a meeting requisition
or shareholder proposal. Among other things, the Advance Notice Policy requires the nominating shareholder to provide to New Gold certain
information regarding the shareholder and the shareholder’s proposed nominees and sets out specific timelines for providing such
information. A copy of the Advance Notice Policy is available on the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com
and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (the “CGNC”) will consider
candidates submitted by shareholders on the same basis as any other candidate. As of the date of this Circular, the Company has not received
any notice of a shareholder’s intention to nominate directors at the Meeting pursuant to the Advance Notice Policy.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
12 | |
BUSINESS
OF THE MEETING
| 1. | Receiving the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements |
New Gold’s consolidated financial statements, including
the auditor’s report thereon, for the year ended December 31, 2021 will be placed before the Meeting. The audited consolidated financial
statements are available on New Gold’s website at www.newgold.com, SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Printed copies
will be mailed to registered shareholders and non-registered shareholders who requested them. For information on how to request a printed
copy of New Gold’s audited consolidated financial statements, please see “Meeting and Voting Information - How are Meeting
Materials Being Delivered to Shareholders?” on page 5 of this Circular.
At the Meeting, the nine persons named below will be proposed
for election to the Board (the “Nominees”). Eight of the nine Nominees (89%) are independent.
Unless authority to do so is withheld, the persons named
in the form of proxy intend to vote FOR the election of each of the Nominees.
Management does not contemplate that any of the Nominees will
be unable to serve as a director, but if that should occur for any reason before the Meeting, the persons named in the proxy reserve the
right to nominate and vote for the election of another individual at their discretion. Each director elected will hold office until the
close of the first annual meeting of shareholders of New Gold following his or her election or until his or her successor is duly elected
or appointed, unless his or her office is earlier vacated in accordance with the Articles of New Gold.
The Board has adopted a Majority Voting Policy which stipulates
that if a Nominee receives a greater number of votes “withheld” from his or her election than votes “for” his
or her election, that Nominee will promptly submit his or her resignation to the Board, which resignation will be accepted except where
exceptional circumstances would warrant rejecting or delaying the acceptance of the offer of resignation, as determined by the Board in
accordance with its fiduciary duties. The Board’s decision will be publicly disclosed (with full reasons for its decision in the
event the Board declines to accept the resignation). The Nominee will not participate in deliberations regarding the resignation offer,
except in limited circumstances where the Nominee’s participation is required for quorum. The Majority Voting Policy does not apply
in circumstances involving contested director elections. A copy of the Majority Voting Policy is available on New Gold’s website
at www.newgold.com.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
13 | |
The following pages contain brief biographies for each of
the Nominees. The information provided includes the following for each Nominee: their principal occupation; description of their principal
occupation; business or employment within the past five years; details of residence; independence status; age; date they first became
a director of New Gold; areas of expertise; and number of Shares, other securities, share units and stock options (“Options”)
of New Gold beneficially owned directly or indirectly, or over which control or direction is exercised by the Nominee as at March 14,
2022. The biographies have each been reviewed by the respective Nominee.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
14 | |
Ontario, Canada
Age: 52
Director since September 12, 2018
Non-Independent |
Renaud
Adams
Renaud Adams has over 25 years of experience
in the mining industry. Mr. Adams’ principal occupation is as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. He was appointed
President and Chief Executive Officer of New Gold effective September 12, 2018. Prior to both appointments, he was the President and Chief
Executive Officer of Richmont Mines Inc. from 2014 until the sale of the company to Alamos Gold in November 2017. During Mr. Adams’
time at Richmont Mines, production at the company’s principal mine more than doubled, mineral reserves more than tripled, and costs
were reduced to make the Island Gold Mine in Ontario one of the lowest cost operating underground mines in the Americas. From 2011 to
2014, Mr. Adams was the Chief Operating Officer at Primero Mining Corporation, and prior to that he was with IAMGOLD Corporation from
2007 to 2011 as the General Manager of the Rosebel mine in Suriname and then the Senior Vice President, Americas Operations. Prior to
IAMGOLD, Mr. Adams held various senior operations positions at mining operations located in the Americas. Mr. Adams is also the non-executive
Chairman of the Board of Directors at Omai Gold Mines. Mr. Adams holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mining and Mineral Processing
from Laval University in Quebec, Canada.
|
Securities Held(1) |
|
|
Number of
Shares |
Number of
PSUs & RSUs(4) |
Number of
Options |
March 14, 2022 |
|
937,348 |
2,447,471 |
2,117,725 |
March 15, 2021 |
|
716,279 |
2,338,299 |
1,822,995 |
Change |
|
221,069 |
109,172 |
354,730 |
Mr. Adams meets the Company’s equity ownership guidelines. Please see “Officer Equity Ownership Guidelines” on page 33 of this Circular for further information. |
Areas of Expertise |
|
Director Election - Voting Results(2) |
Mining Industry / Operations / Geology; Public Company Boards / Corporate Governance; HS / Sustainability / Risk Management; Talent Management; Strategic Planning / M&A; Government Relations / Legal Matters |
|
Year |
For |
Withheld |
|
2021 |
97.05% |
2.95% |
|
2020 |
99.35% |
0.65% |
|
2019 |
99.38% |
0.62% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Board and Committee Membership
and Attendance 2021(3) |
|
|
Other Public Directorships |
|
Board |
9 of 9 |
|
Omai Gold Mines Corp. |
Since 2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
15 | |
British Columbia, Canada
Age: 59
Director since May 4, 2021
Independent
|
GEOFF
CHATER
Geoff Chater is a geologist with over
30 years of experience in the mineral exploration and mining industries operating in North America, South America, Europe, and Africa.
Mr. Chater was Chief Executive Officer of Luna Gold Ltd. from 2014 to 2015 and President of Valley High Ventures from 2010 to 2011. From
1999 to 2008, Mr. Chater was Manager of Corporate Relations for First Quantum Minerals Ltd. During the last ten years, Mr. Chater has
been a capital markets consultant focused on corporate strategy, business development, financing and communications. Mr. Chater has served
as a director of several public companies including Nevsun Resources, Mason Resources, Reservoir Minerals and Valley High Ventures. Mr.
Chater is a graduate of Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology. At New Gold, Mr. Chater is a member of
the Audit Committee and the Technical and Sustainability Committee. Mr. Chater’s principal occupation is as a corporate director. |
Securities Held(1) |
|
|
Number of
Shares |
Number of
DSUs |
Number of
Options |
March 14, 2022 |
|
- |
54,794 |
- |
March 15, 2021 |
|
- |
- |
- |
Change |
|
- |
54,794 |
- |
Mr. Chater has until May 2024 to achieve compliance with the Company’s equity ownership guidelines. |
Areas of Expertise |
|
Director Election - Voting Results(2) |
Mining Industry / Operations / Geology; Capital Markets / Finance / Accounting; Public Company Boards / Corporate Governance; HS / Sustainability / Risk Management; Talent Management; Strategic Planning / M&A |
|
Year |
For |
Withheld |
|
2021 |
99.64% |
|
0.36% |
|
Board and Committee Membership
and Attendance 2021(3) |
|
|
Other Public Directorships |
|
Board |
4 of 4 |
|
None |
|
Technical and Sustainability Committee |
2 of 2 |
|
|
|
Audit Committee |
3 of 3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
16 | |
Colorado,
United States
Age: 63
Director since May 27, 2019
Independent
|
NICHOLAS
CHIREKOS
Nicholas (Nick) Chirekos has more than
25 years of experience in investment banking and capital markets, with a focus on the mining industry. He served in various investment
banking roles at J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. from 1987 until his retirement in 2016. His roles included Managing Director, North American
Head of Mining from 2002 to 2016, and Global Head of Mining and Metals from 2000 to 2002. He brings extensive expertise in mergers and
acquisitions, equity, equity linked and fixed income transactions and was formerly a member of J.P. Morgan’s Investment Banking
North American Reputational Risk Committee. Mr. Chirekos is also a director of Peabody Energy Corporation and a member of the Reiman School
of Finance Advisory Board at the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from
the University of Denver and a Master of Business Administration degree from New York University. At New Gold, Mr. Chirekos is Chair of
the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and a member of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee. Mr. Chirekos’
principal occupation is as a corporate director. |
Securities Held(1) |
|
|
Number of
Shares |
Number of
DSUs |
Number of
Options |
March 14, 2022 |
|
- |
230,233 |
- |
March 15, 2021 |
|
- |
175,439 |
- |
Change |
|
- |
54,794 |
- |
Mr. Chirekos meets the Company’s equity ownership guidelines. |
Areas of Expertise |
|
Director Election - Voting Results(2) |
Mining Industry / Operations / Geology; Capital Markets / Finance / Accounting; Public Company Boards / Corporate Governance; HS / Sustainability / Risk Management; Strategic Planning / M&A |
|
Year |
For |
Withheld |
|
2021 |
99.47% |
|
0.53% |
|
2020 |
99.30% |
|
0.70% |
|
|
|
|
|
Board and Committee Membership
and Attendance 2021(3) |
|
|
Other Public Directorships |
|
Board |
9 of 9 |
|
Peabody Energy Corporation |
Since 2017 |
Audit Committee |
2 of 2 |
|
|
|
Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee, Chair |
4 of 4 |
|
|
|
Human Resources and Compensation
Committee |
2 of 2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
17 | |
United Kingdom
Age: 50
Director since April 25, 2018
Independent |
Gillian
Davidson
Gillian Davidson has 20 years of experience
as an internal and external advisor to companies and other organizations regarding sustainability, social license and community relations.
Most recently, Dr. Davidson was the Head of Mining and Metals for the World Economic Forum from 2014 to 2017, where she led global and
regional engagement and multi-stakeholder initiatives to advance responsible and sustainable mining. From 2008 to 2014, she was Director
of Social Responsibility at Teck Resources Limited, supporting social and environmental commitments and performance across the mining
lifecycle. Before joining Teck, Dr. Davidson held roles related to community development, environment and natural resources as a consultant
and in government. Dr. Davidson presently serves as a director on the boards of Lundin Gold Inc. and Central Asia Metal Limited and in
the capacity of Chair of Sustainability Committee on both such boards. She served as a director of Lydian International Limited until
March 2020. Dr. Davidson has an Honours Master of Arts in Geography from the University of Glasgow, a PhD in Development Economics and
Economic Geography from the University of Liverpool and is an alumna of the Governor General of Canada’s Leadership Conference.
Dr. Davidson is the chair of International Women in Mining. At New Gold, Dr. Davidson is Chair of the Technical and Sustainability Committee
and a member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Dr. Davidson’s principal occupation is as a consultant. |
|
|
Number of
Shares |
Number of
DSUs |
Number of Options |
March 14, 2022 |
|
- |
393,222 |
- |
March 15, 2021 |
|
- |
338,428 |
- |
Change |
|
- |
54,794 |
- |
Dr. Davidson meets the Company’s equity ownership guidelines. |
Areas of Expertise |
|
Director Election – Voting Results(2) |
Mining Industry / Operations / Geology; Public Company Boards / Corporate Governance; HS / Sustainability / Risk Management; Government Relations / Legal Matters |
|
Year |
For |
Withheld |
|
2021 |
99.42% |
0.58% |
|
2020 |
99.23% |
0.77% |
|
2019 |
99.06% |
0.94% |
|
Board
and Committee Membership
and Attendance 2021(3) |
|
|
Other
Public Directorships |
|
Board
|
8
of 9 |
|
Lundin
Gold Inc. |
Since
2021 |
Technical
and Sustainability Committee, Chair |
4
of 4 |
|
Central
Asia Metal Limited |
Since
2019 |
Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee |
4
of 4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
18 | |
British Columbia, Canada
Age: 70
Director since July 9, 2018
Independent |
JAMES
Gowans
James (Jim) Gowans has more than 30
years of experience in mineral exploration, mine feasibility studies, mine construction and commissioning and the development of best
practices in mine safety, operations and economic performance improvement. From January 2016 to August 2018, he was the President and
Chief Executive Officer of Arizona Mining Inc. Previously, he was with Barrick Gold Corporation as Senior Advisor to the Chairman from
August to December 2015, Co-President from July 2014 to August 2015, and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from January
to July 2014. From 2011 to 2014, Mr. Gowans was the Managing Director of Debswana Diamond Company (Pty) Ltd., and prior to that he held
executive positions at various companies including De Beers SA, De Beers Canada Inc., PT Inco Indonesia tbk and Placer Dome Inc. Mr. Gowans
previously served as the President of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, the Chair of the Board of the Mining
Association of Canada, and a director of the Conference Board of Canada. He currently serves on the boards of directors of Cameco Ltd.,
Trilogy Metals Inc. and Marathon Gold Corporation. Mr. Gowans is a Professional Engineer, holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in
mineral engineering from the University of British Columbia, and attended the Banff School of Advanced Management. At New Gold, Mr. Gowans
is a member of the Technical and Sustainability Committee. Mr. Gowans’s principal occupation is as a corporate director. |
|
|
Number of
Shares |
Number of
DSUs |
Number of Options |
March 14, 2022 |
|
30,000 |
360,875 |
- |
March 15, 2021 |
|
30,000 |
292,382 |
- |
Change |
|
- |
68,493 |
- |
Mr. Gowans meets the Company’s equity ownership guidelines. |
Areas of Expertise |
|
Director Election – Voting Results(2) |
Mining Industry / Operations / Geology; Public Company Boards / Corporate Governance; HS / Sustainability / Risk Management; Talent Management; Strategic Planning / M&A; Government Relations / Legal Matters; Capital Project Management |
|
Year |
For |
Withheld |
|
2021 |
94.77% |
5.23% |
|
2020
2019 |
94.69%
99.27% |
5.31%
0.73% |
Board and Committee Membership
and Attendance 2021(3) |
|
|
Other Public Directorships |
|
Board |
9 of 9 |
|
Marathon Gold Corporation |
Since 2020 |
Human Resources and Compensation Committee, Chair |
2 of 2 |
|
Trilogy Metals Inc. |
Since 2019 |
Technical and Sustainability Committee |
4 of 4 |
|
Cameco Ltd. |
Since 2009 |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
19 | |
Colorado, United States
Age: 53
Director since May 4, 2021
Independent
|
THOMAS
J. MCCULLEY
Thomas
(Tom) McCulley has 30 years of experience in project execution and operations leadership in the mining and construction industries,
including extensive experience in the setup and leadership of industry leading global assurance programs. Mr. McCulley has experience
in all phases of a mining project lifecycle, from scoping studies through commissioning and start-up and operations, including investment
evaluations. Mr. McCulley is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Anglo American’s Quellaveco Project and Senior Vice President
of Projects for Anglo American plc, positions he has held since 2018 and 2015, respectively. From 2000 to 2015, he served in several
senior roles at Newmont Mining Corporation, including as Vice President of Investment Assurance from 2011 to 2015. Mr. McCulley holds
a Bachelor of Science (Accounting) from Mount Saint Mary’s University. At New Gold, Mr. McCulley is a member of the Human Resources
and Compensation Committee and the Technical and Sustainability Committee. |
|
Securities
Held(1) |
|
|
|
Number
of
Shares |
Number
of
DSUs |
Number
of
Options |
|
March
14, 2022 |
|
- |
73,059 |
- |
|
March
15, 2021 |
|
- |
- |
- |
|
Change |
|
- |
73,059 |
- |
|
Mr.
McCulley has until May 2024 to achieve compliance with the Company’s equity ownership guidelines. |
|
Areas
of Expertise |
|
Director
Election - Voting Results(2) |
|
Mining
Industry / Operations / Geology; Public Company Boards / Corporate Governance; HS / Sustainability / Risk Management; Talent Management;
Strategic Planning / M&A; Government Relations / Legal Matters; Capital Project Management |
|
Year |
For |
Withheld |
|
|
2021 |
99.68% |
|
0.32% |
|
|
|
Board
and Committee Membership
and Attendance 2021(3) |
|
|
Other
Public Directorships |
|
|
Board |
3
of 4 |
|
None |
|
|
Technical
and Sustainability Committee |
1
of 2(5) |
|
|
|
|
Human
Resources and Compensation Committee |
2
of 2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
20 | |
Ontario, Canada
Age: 63
Director since April 25, 2018
Independent
|
Margaret
Mulligan
Margaret (Peggy) Mulligan has over 35
years of experience in audit and finance. From 2008 to 2010, Ms. Mulligan was the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of Biovail Corporation and from 2005 to 2007, she was the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Linamar Corporation.
From 1994 to 2004, Ms. Mulligan was the Senior Vice President, Audit and Chief Inspector and then the Executive Vice President, Systems
and Operations of The Bank of Nova Scotia. Before joining Scotiabank, she was an Audit Partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers. She holds
a Bachelor of Math (Honours) from the University of Waterloo and is a Chartered Professional Accountant, FCPA, CA. Ms. Mulligan also serves
as a director on the board of Canadian Western Bank. At New Gold, Ms. Mulligan is Chair of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee
and a member of the Audit Committee. Ms. Mulligan’s principal occupation is as a corporate director. |
Securities Held(1) |
|
|
Number of
Shares |
Number of
DSUs |
Number of
Options |
March 14, 2022 |
|
- |
389,170 |
- |
March 15, 2021 |
|
- |
322,960 |
- |
Change |
|
- |
66,210 |
- |
Ms. Mulligan meets the Company’s equity ownership guidelines. |
Areas of Expertise |
|
Director Election - Voting Results(2) |
Capital Markets / Finance / Accounting; Public Company Boards / Corporate Governance; HS / Sustainability / Risk Management; Talent Management; Strategic Planning / M&A; Government Relations / Legal Matters; Capital Project Management |
|
Year |
For |
Withheld |
|
2021 |
98.05% |
1.95% |
|
2020 |
99.25% |
0.75% |
|
2019 |
99.10% |
0.90% |
|
Board and Committee Membership
and Attendance 2021(3) |
|
|
Other Public Directorships |
|
Board |
9 of 9 |
|
Canadian Western Bank |
Since 2017 |
Audit Committee |
5 of 5 |
|
|
|
Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee, Chair |
2 of 2 |
|
|
|
Human Resources and Compensation
Committee, Chair |
2 of 2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
21 | |
Ontario, Canada
Age: 65
Director since April 27, 2016
Independent |
Ian
Pearce
Ian Pearce has over 35 years of experience
in the mining industry. From 1993 to 2003, Mr. Pearce held progressively more senior engineering and project management roles with Fluor
Inc., including managing numerous significant development projects in the extractive sector. From 2003 to 2006, Mr. Pearce held executive
roles at Falconbridge Limited, including Chief Operating Officer, and he subsequently served as Chief Executive Officer of Xstrata Nickel,
a subsidiary of Xstrata plc, from 2006 to 2013. From 2013 to 2017, Mr. Pearce was a partner of X2 Resources, a private partnership focused
on building a mid-tier diversified mining and metals group. Mr. Pearce currently serves as the Chair of the Board of MineSense Technologies
Ltd., a technology company seeking to improve the ore extraction and recovery process, and as a Senior Advisor at KoBold Metals, a company
that deploys digital tools to discover new cobalt deposits. He is a director of NextSource Materials Inc., Northland Power Inc. and Metso
Outotec Corporation. He previously served as the Chair of the Board of Nevsun Resources Ltd. and Nexa Resources S.A. Mr. Pearce holds
a Higher National Diploma in Engineering (Mineral Processing) from the University of Johannesburg and a Bachelor of Science degree from
the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. At New Gold, Mr. Pearce is the Chair of the Board. Mr. Pearce’s principal occupation
is as a corporate director. |
|
|
Number of
Shares |
Number of
DSUs |
Number of Options |
March 14, 2022 |
|
27,200 |
586,177 |
117,198 |
March 15, 2021 |
|
27,200 |
493,027 |
117,198 |
Change |
|
- |
93,150 |
- |
Mr. Pearce meets the Company’s equity ownership guidelines. |
Areas of Expertise |
|
Director Election – Voting Results(2) |
Mining Industry / Operations / Geology; Public Company Boards / Corporate Governance; HS / Sustainability / Risk Management; Talent Management; Strategic Planning / M&A; Capital Project Management |
|
Year |
For |
Withheld |
|
2021 |
95.05% |
4.95% |
|
2020 |
99.32% |
0.68% |
|
2019 |
98.97% |
1.03% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Board and Committee Membership
and Attendance 2021(3) |
|
|
Other Public Directorships |
|
Board, Chair |
9 of 9 |
|
NextSource Materials Inc. |
Since 2021 |
Technical and Sustainability Committee |
2 of 2 |
|
Northland Power Inc. |
Since 2020 |
Human Resources and Compensation Committee |
2 of 2 |
|
Metso Outotec Corporation |
Since 2015 |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
22 | |
Alberta, Canada
Age: 62
Director since June 26, 2017
Independent |
Marilyn
Schonberner
Marilyn Schonberner has over 35 years
of international experience in the energy and mining sectors. She retired in 2016 as the Chief Financial Officer of Nexen Energy ULC.
During her 21-year career with Nexen, she held various executive roles with responsibility for financial and risk management, audit, human
resources, strategic planning and budgeting, supply chain, and information services. Ms. Schonberner currently serves on the board of
directors of Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. and she is a member of the Executive Committee of the Calgary Chapter of the Institute of Corporate
Directors. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta and a Master of Business Administration from the University
of Calgary. She is a CPA, CMA and a Certified Internal Auditor. Ms. Schonberner completed the Senior Executive Development Programme at
the London Business School and has obtained the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. At New Gold, Ms. Schonberner
is Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Her principal occupation is as a corporate
director. |
Securities Held(1) |
|
|
Number of
Shares |
Number of
DSUs |
Number of
Options |
March 14, 2022 |
|
- |
379,055 |
- |
March 15, 2021 |
|
- |
324,261 |
- |
Change |
|
- |
54,794 |
- |
Ms. Schonberner meets the Company’s equity ownership guidelines. |
Areas of Expertise |
|
Director Election - Voting Results(2) |
Capital Markets / Finance / Accounting; Public Company Boards / Corporate Governance; HS / Sustainability / Risk Management; Talent Management; Strategic Planning / M&A; Capital Project Management |
|
Year |
For |
Withheld |
|
2021 |
99.48% |
0.52% |
|
2020 |
99.24% |
0.76% |
|
2019 |
99.00% |
1.00% |
|
Board and Committee Membership
and Attendance 2021(3) |
|
|
Other Public Directorships |
|
Board |
8 of 9(6) |
|
Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. |
Since 2018 |
Audit Committee, Chair |
4 of 4 |
|
|
|
Human Resources and Compensation Committee |
2 of 2 |
|
|
|
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee |
2 of 2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
23 | |
| (1) | Information regarding the securities held by each Nominee, including the number of Shares beneficially owned directly or indirectly
or over which control or direction is exercised, has been confirmed by the relevant Nominee. |
| (2) | Annual voting results for the last three years in which the Nominee was nominated for election to the Board. |
| (3) | Attendance
by each director at Board and committee meetings is based on the number of meetings held
during the period of the calendar year during which the director was a member of the Board
and/or the applicable committee. For further information on when a director joined the Board
or an applicable committee, please refer to “Meetings of the Board and Committees of
the Board” on page 79. |
| (4) | As of March 14, 2022, Mr. Adams held a total of 2,447,471 performance share units (“PSUs”) and restricted share
units (“RSUs”) comprised of 1,904,469 PSUs and 543,002 RSUs. |
| (5) | Mr. McCulley was unable to attend a Technical and Sustainability Committee meeting due to illness. |
| (6) | Ms.
Schonberner recused herself from particpating in a Board meeting relating to the sale of
the Blackwater Project gold stream to Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. due to her position as
a director of both Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. and the Company. For more information on
how New Gold deals with conflicts of interests, please see “Director Conflicts of Interest
and Related-Party Transactions” on page 86. |
Cease Trade Orders or Bankruptcies
As at the date of this Circular, no Nominee is, or has been
within the past ten years, a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company (including New Gold) that:
| (i) | was subject to a cease trade order, an order similar to a cease trade order or an order that denied the relevant company access to
any exemption under securities legislation, that was in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days (collectively, an “Order”),
that was issued while the Nominee was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer; or |
| (ii) | was subject to an Order that was issued after the Nominee ceased to be a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer
and which resulted from an event that occurred while the Nominee was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief
financial officer. |
As at the date of this Circular, other than as stated below,
no Nominee:
| (i) | is, or has been within the past ten years, a director or executive officer of any company (including New Gold) that, while the Nominee
was acting in that capacity, or within a year of the Nominee ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any
legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors
or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets; |
| (ii) | has, within the past ten years, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become
subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed
to hold the assets of the Nominee; or |
| (iii) | has been subject to: (a) any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory
authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority; or (b) any other penalties or sanctions imposed
by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable shareholder in deciding whether to vote for a
proposed director. |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
24 | |
Mr. Gowans was a director of Gedex Systems
Inc. (“Gedex”), a company based in Mississauga, Ontario, until November 2018. On August 9, 2019, Gedex filed a notice
of application in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (the “Court”) under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement
Act (“CCAA”) requesting an order approving a sale and investor solicitation process (“SISP”)
in respect of the property, assets and undertakings of Gedex. The notice of application also sought an order appointing Zeifman Partners
Inc. (“Zeifman”) as monitor in the proceedings (in such capacity, the “Monitor”). On August 12,
2019, the Court made an order authorizing and approving, among other things, the commencement of the SISP and a stay of proceedings until
September 11, 2019. On the same date, the Court made an additional order granting Gedex protection from its creditors pursuant to section
58 of the CCAA and appointing Zeifman as the Monitor of Gedex. On August 28, 2019, the first report of the Monitor was issued and, on
September 3, 2019, the Court issued a further order granting, among other things, an extension of the stay period until December 10, 2019.
On December 5, 2019, the Court certified that all matters to be attended to in connection with these CCAA proceedings have been completed
and Zeifman filed its discharge notice on December 23, 2019, terminating the CCAA proceedings.
Additional Information Regarding the Board
For additional information regarding the Board, including
compensation and corporate governance practices, see “Statement of Director Compensation” and “Corporate Governance
Practices”.
Shareholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed appropriate,
pass an ordinary resolution to appoint Deloitte LLP as auditor of New Gold to hold office until the close of the next annual meeting of
shareholders of New Gold. It is also proposed that shareholders authorize the directors to fix the remuneration to be paid to the auditor.
Deloitte LLP has been the auditor of New Gold (or its predecessors) since 2007. Additional information with respect to the Company’s
auditor, including audit fees, can be found in New Gold’s latest Annual Information Form (“AIF”) available at
www.sedar.com.
Unless authority to do so is withheld, the persons named
in the accompanying proxy intend to vote FOR the appointment of Deloitte LLP as auditor of New Gold until the close of the next annual
meeting of shareholders of New Gold and to authorize the directors to fix its remuneration.
| 4. | Say on Pay Advisory Vote |
The Board has adopted a policy that provides for an annual
advisory shareholder vote on executive compensation, known as “Say on Pay”. The Say on Pay Policy is designed to enhance accountability
for the Board’s compensation decisions by giving shareholders a formal opportunity to provide their views on the Board’s approach
to executive compensation through an annual non-binding advisory vote. The Company will disclose the results of the vote as part of its
report on voting results for each annual general meeting. The results will not be binding; the Board will remain fully responsible for
its compensation decisions and will not be relieved of these responsibilities by the advisory vote. However, the Board will take the results
into account, as appropriate, when considering future compensation policies, procedures and decisions and in determining whether there
is a need to modify the level and nature of their engagement with New Gold’s shareholders.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
25 | |
If the advisory resolution is not approved by a significant
majority of the votes cast at an annual meeting, the Board will consult with shareholders (particularly those who are known to have voted
against the resolution) in order to understand their concerns, and it will review New Gold’s approach to compensation in the context
of those concerns. Results from the Board’s review will be discussed in New Gold’s management information circular for the
following year.
Shareholders are encouraged to review and consider the detailed
information regarding New Gold’s approach to executive compensation under the heading “Statement of Executive Compensation”
on page 27.
At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to consider the
following non-binding advisory resolution on the acceptance of New Gold’s approach to executive compensation, known as “Say
on Pay”. The resolution conforms to the form of resolution recommended by the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance. Shareholders
may vote for or against the following resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED THAT on an advisory basis, and not to
diminish the role and responsibilities of the Board, the shareholders accept the Board’s approach to executive compensation disclosed
under the section entitled “Statement of Executive Compensation” in the Management Information Circular of the Company
dated March 18, 2022 delivered in advance of the Meeting.”
The Board and management recommend the adoption of the Say
on Pay advisory resolution. Shareholders who vote against the resolution are encouraged to contact the Board using the contact information
provided under the heading “Corporate Governance Practices - Shareholder Communication and Engagement” on page 84.
Unless directed otherwise in the form of proxy, the persons
named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote FOR the Say on Pay advisory resolution.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
26 | |
GOVERNANCE
AT A GLANCE
What We Do |
ü |
Cap Incentives: Both Short-Term Incentives and PSUs are capped at 200% of target. |
ü |
Comprehensive Board Renewal Process: The Board has several processes to improve its effectiveness, including: 1) guidelines for retirement age and term limits; 2) an annual Board and director evaluation process; and 3) a regular review of director skills and committee composition. |
ü |
Sustainability Strategy: Developed a Sustainability Strategy comprised of four focus areas: Indigenous Peoples, Tailings Management, Water and Climate, which informs New Gold’s approach to Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) initiatives (see page 67). |
ü |
Impose a Double Trigger: Executive employment agreements include severance provisions that require a double trigger in the event of a Change of Control (see page 58). |
ü |
Maintain a Clawback Policy: Incentive awards made to executive officers are subject to repayment in the event of either a restatement of financial statements or if performance targets achieved through misconduct. |
ü |
Pay for Performance: A large portion of target executive compensation is at-risk (short-term incentives and long-term incentives); 79% for the Chief Executive Officer and over 60% for the other NEOs (as defined below). |
ü |
Promote Diversity: The Board has a written Diversity Policy. Women represent 33% of director Nominees this year (three of nine directors), above average among our peer group. |
ü |
Require Share Ownership: Directors and NEOs are required to own equity in New Gold (Shares, deferred share units (“DSUs”), RSUs and PSUs) based on multiples of annual retainers and base salaries. |
What We Don’t Do |
û |
Allow Board Interlocks: Directors may not serve together on any other public company boards unless there are exceptional circumstances that are reviewed by the CGNC and approved by the Board. |
û |
Automatic Salary Increases: While base salaries are reviewed annually, increases are not guaranteed and executives have no expectation of changes to base salary after each review. |
û |
Compare to Much Larger Companies: New Gold’s peer group is made up of companies of similar size (primarily between 0.5x and 2x New Gold’s revenue and assets). |
û |
Guarantee Minimum PSU Vesting: New Gold’s PSU plan has no guaranteed vesting. If New Gold’s performance is below the threshold performance level, no PSUs will vest. |
û |
Overemphasize Stock Options: New Gold does not grant excessive amounts of Options to executive officers. Options represent only 25% of the equity-based compensation of officers. |
û |
Provide Excessive Benefits and Perquisites: New Gold does not provide excessive benefit and retirement plans, car allowances or perquisite spending accounts to executive officers. |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
27 | |
STATEMENT
OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Dear Shareholders:
The Human Resources and Compensation Committee
(the “HRCC”) believes that executive pay should reflect performance. This is fundamental in aligning the interests of executives,
shareholders and other stakeholders. 2021 was a year of challenges for New Gold’s operations. There were also accomplishments. Both
are reflected in executive compensation this year.
Both the New Afton Mine and Rainy River Mine
experienced operational challenges in 2021. The year began with a fatality at the New Afton Mine. Permitting delays slowed development
of the B3 zone at New Afton, impacting project development and the production schedule. The Rainy River Mine experienced negative deviation
to expected grade in the East Lobe area. This led to the Company issuing revised guidance in September. These challenges impacted shareholders
as they contributed to a decline in New Gold’s share price during the year and underperformance compared to the S&P/TSX Global
Gold Index.
Despite these challenges, there were accomplishments
as well. Both operations produced free cash flow. In addition, a new economic study of the underground potential of the Rainy River Mine
supported the conversion of approximately 569,000 gold ounces of underground Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves. These two developments
show a stronger future for this operation. The Company also sold its gold stream on the Blackwater Project for US$300 million in December.
These events have led to the Company being in a better financial position than it has been in several years.
The Company scorecard result of 70% reflects
these challenges and accomplishments as well, just as they have been reflected in the Company’s share price, which decreased by
33% in 2021. This emphasizes the connection between pay and performance and it is reinforced by the compensation decisions the HRCC has
taken together with management. The HRCC has also implemented changes to New Gold’s approach to executive compensation for 2022,
discussed in this Circular, to further align executive compensation with operational execution. The HRCC believes this will better incentivize
New Gold’s executive team to deliver long-term value for shareholders.
We appreciate shareholder input, and
the Company is committed to engaging regularly with our shareholders. Shareholders again have the opportunity to have their say on executive
compensation at the 2022 annual meeting. We hold this advisory vote every year to receive ongoing shareholder feedback on this important
matter. Last year 91.46% of votes cast were in favour of New Gold’s approach to executive compensation. We encourage you to read
the compensation discussion and analysis in this Circular before you vote your shares, and we look forward to hosting you online at this
year’s virtual meeting and receiving your feedback.
Peggy Mulligan
Chair, Human Resources and Compensation Committee
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
28 | |
Compensation Philosophy, Objectives and
Principles
New Gold is a Canadian-focused intermediate gold mining company
with two core producing assets in Canada, the Rainy River gold mine and the New Afton copper-gold mine. New Gold is continually working
to maximize shareholder value through diversified production, maintaining an attractive risk profile and enhancing growth potential in
a safe, and environmentally and socially responsible manner.
New Gold’s compensation philosophy and objectives are
designed to support its business strategy and reflect its status as an intermediate Canadian gold producer. New Gold seeks to reward performance
through short-term and long-term incentives, and to create alignment with its strategy, mission and values.
The objectives of New Gold’s
executive compensation program are to:
| • | Attract
and retain talent (through its total rewards and professional development); |
| • | Motivate
and reward for individual, corporate and functional/site performance (through its incentive
programs); and |
| • | Align
senior management with shareholder interests in long-term value creation (through its equity-based
compensation). |
New Gold’s compensation
philosophy is supported by the following principles:
| • | Canadian
Focused: Compensation reflects New Gold’s Canadian focus by comparing against a
primarily Canadian peer group. |
| • | Market
Competitive: Compensation must attract, retain and motivate employees while aligning
with New Gold’s strategy and values to drive the desired performance. |
| • | Adaptive:
Compensation reflects the cyclical nature of the gold mining industry and is adaptable
to changes in circumstances and best practices. |
| • | Performance
Based: Compensation programs promote a culture of accountability at both the corporate
and mine site level, and thus place an emphasis on variable pay at the senior management
level. |
| • | Mindful
of Stakeholders: Compensation and governance practices are transparent and strive to
balance responsibility, profitability and sustainability. |
The Board, the HRCC and management use this philosophy to guide compensation
decision making.
Composition and Role of the Human Resources
and Compensation Committee
The HRCC is comprised of Peggy Mulligan (Chair), Nick Chirekos
and Tom McCulley, each of whom is an independent director. Collectively, the HRCC members have extensive compensation-related experience
in extractive industries both as senior executives and as members of the boards of directors and committees of other public and private
corporations:
| • | Ms. Mulligan is Chair of the HRCC. She is also a director of Canadian Western Bank. She was previously Chair of the Nominating, Governance,
Human Resources and Compensation Committee at Ontario Power Generation. She was previously also the Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Biovail Corporation. Ms. Mulligan was the Senior Vice President, Audit and Chief Inspector and then the Executive
Vice President, Systems and Operations of The Bank of Nova Scotia. She has also held executive positions with other companies, including
Linamar Corporation and the Bank of Nova Scotia. |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
29 | |
| • | Mr. Chirekos is also a director of Peabody Energy Corporation. He served in various executive roles at J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.,
including Managing Director, North American Head of Mining and Global Head of Mining and Metals. |
| • | Mr. McCulley is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Anglo American’s Quellaveco Project and Senior Vice President of Projects
for Anglo American plc. Mr. McCulley has also held executive roles with Newmont Mining Corporation. |
In their management and governance experience, the HRCC members
have been involved in executive compensation decision making and human resources policy and practice issues relevant to the HRCC’s
business. The HRCC members draw on this relevant governance and compensation-related expertise to review the Company’s executive
compensation policies and practices. The Board is confident that the collective experience of the HRCC members ensures that the HRCC
has the knowledge and experience to execute its mandate effectively and to make executive compensation decisions in the best interests
of the Company.
The role of the HRCC is to assist the Board in approving and
monitoring the Company’s guidelines and practices with respect to compensation and benefits, as well as administering the Company’s
equity-based compensation plans. The HRCC’s responsibilities include, among other things:
| • | ensuring that the Company has programs to attract, motivate and retain executive officers of the highest calibre; |
| • | reviewing corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of executive officers and making recommendations to the Board
regarding such goals and objectives; |
| • | recommending to the Board the annual salary, incentive and other compensation of executive officers based on performance against the
goals and objectives approved by the Board; |
| • | reviewing succession plans for the Company’s executive officers and reporting to the Board on succession planning; and |
| • | establishing a clear and concise compensation philosophy for the Company. |
The HRCC also performs the annual performance review for the
President and Chief Executive Officer and provides its recommendations to the Board for approval. The President and Chief Executive Officer
performs the annual performance review for other executive officers and provides recommendations for the HRCC and Board to review and
approve.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
30 | |
Peer Group
It is the Company’s intention to provide total direct
compensation packages to its executive officers that are competitive with those of its industry peers in order to ensure its executive
officers are appropriately rewarded and retained. To assess the competitiveness of New Gold’s executive compensation packages and
practices, the HRCC compares the Company to a peer group of similar companies in the mining industry.
The 2021 peer group consists of the thirteen companies listed
below (the “Peer Group”). The Peer Group was selected based on the criteria shown to the right, applicable to each
Peer Group company. To ensure meaningful and reasonable comparisons, the majority of companies in the Peer Group have an asset value and
revenue between 0.5x to 2x to those of New Gold. The 2020 peer group included Alamos Gold Inc., B2Gold Corp., Centerra Gold Inc., Coeur
Mining, Inc., Dundee Precious Metals Inc., Eldorado Gold Corporation, Equinox Gold Corp., First Majestic Silver Corp., Hecla Mining Company,
IAMGOLD Corporation, OceanaGold Corporation, Pan American Silver Corp., Pretium Resources Inc., SSR Mining Inc., Torex Gold Resources
Inc. and Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. In 2021, Argonaut Gold Inc. and HudBay Minerals Inc. were added to the Peer Group. B2Gold Corp., Dundee
Precious Metals Inc., Pan American Silver Corp., Pretium Resources Inc. and OceanaGold Corporation have been removed from the Peer Group.
B2Gold Corp., Pan American Silver Corp. and Dundee Precious Metals Inc. were removed due to size. B2Gold Corp.’s and Pan American
Silver Corp.’s assets and revenue are much larger than New Gold, and the volume of Dundee Precious Metals Inc.’s assets is
much lower than New Gold. OceanaGold Corporation, an Australian company, was removed to prioritize Canadian companies in line with the
compensation philosophy. Pretium Resources Inc. was removed as it was in the process of being acquired.
Below is New Gold’s updated Peer Group:
Alamos Gold Inc. |
Equinox Gold Corp. |
SSR Mining Inc. |
Argonaut Gold |
First Majestic Silver Corp. |
Torex Gold Resources Inc. |
Centerra Gold Inc. |
Hecla Mining Company |
Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. |
Coeur Mining, Inc. |
HudBay Minerals Inc. |
|
Eldorado Gold Corporation |
IAMGOLD Corporation |
|
The relative size of the companies comprising the Peer Group
is similar to New Gold. Below is a comparison of New Gold to the Peer Group. New Gold is positioned very close to the median for assets
and very close to P25 for revenue.
2021 Peer Group Companies |
Assets (US$)(1) |
Revenue (US$)(1) |
75th Percentile |
4,316 |
1,205 |
50th Percentile (Median) |
2,674 |
905 |
25th Percentile |
1,674 |
811 |
|
|
|
New Gold |
2,270 |
742 |
New Gold Positioning |
P40 |
P23 |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
31 | |
(1) | All data sourced from S&P Capital IQ as of February 2022; assets reflect the most recent quarterly
disclosures and revenues reflect a trailing four quarter value. All data shown in USD currency in millions. |
The HRCC used Peer Group compensation for comparable roles as
a consideration in reviewing and recommending short-term and long-term incentive compensation for executives for 2021 as well as base
salary and incentive targets for 2022. The 2020 peer group was used in determining base salary and incentive targets for 2021. While the
HRCC considers peer groups in its executive compensation decision making, it does not explicitly target a fixed relative positioning.
Compensation Consultants
Independent compensation consultants assist New Gold by providing
information on the executive compensation packages and practices of both Peer Group companies and the broader market, as well as providing
analysis of general trends and practices in executive compensation.
In 2021, Hugessen Consulting (“Hugessen”)
was retained to provide assistance to the Board and HRCC, including support with developing an updated Peer Group, executive compensation
benchmarking, incentive design review and support with making adjustments to short-term and long-term incentives for 2022, and support
in 2021 year-end executive compensation decision making. In 2020, Meridian Compensation Partners (“Meridian”) assessed
and recommended the 2020 peer group and provided a report on executive compensation, benchmarking the Company’s practices against
such peer group and market trends, as well as provided a market analysis of director compensation. Fees paid to Hugessen and Meridian
for these compensation-related services are set out in the table below.
Consultant |
Year |
Fees for executive and director
compensation related services ($) |
Fees for all
other services ($) |
Hugessen |
2021 |
95,303 |
- |
Meridian |
2020 |
36,470 |
- |
Compensation Risk Management and Mitigation
The HRCC considers the implications and risks of the Company’s
executive compensation program in making its compensation recommendations to the Board and in carrying out its responsibilities generally.
When a significant change in the design of the executive compensation program is contemplated, the HRCC engages independent compensation
consultants to review the executive compensation policies and practices and identify areas of potential risk. In particular, the HRCC
wishes to ensure that executives are not incentivized to take inappropriate or excessive risks.
The HRCC has not identified any risks in the Company’s
existing compensation policies and practices that it believes would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Some of the risk-mitigating features of New Gold’s executive
compensation program are set out below.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
32 | |
Balanced Compensation Mix
Executive compensation packages are designed to balance fixed
and variable compensation as well as short and long-term incentives. This mix rewards both short-term and long-term performance, while
providing a fixed base compensation through salary, which helps to mitigate the risk of encouraging short-term goals at the expense of
long-term sustainability and creating shareholder value.
Board and Human Resources
and Compensation Committee Discretion
The HRCC and the Board work with the President and Chief Executive
Officer to assess performance relative to the Company Scorecard (disclosed on page 42), as well as assessing
the performance of the Company’s officers when considering short-term and long-term incentives. In assessing performance, they consider
how the Company met its goals during the year as well as any additional value-enhancing results and achievements, and share price performance
during the year. Taking such factors into account, the HRCC and the Board may adjust awards upwards or downwards to ensure better alignment
of executive compensation with Company performance and the experience of shareholders and other stakeholders.
Say on Pay Policy
The Company has adopted a Say on Pay Policy that requires
it to have a non-binding advisory vote at each year’s annual meeting to give shareholders an opportunity to provide their views
on New Gold’s approach to executive compensation. At the Company’s last annual meeting of shareholders on May 4, 2021, 91.46%
of votes cast voted in favour of the Say on Pay advisory resolution and 8.54% voted against.
Anti-Hedging Policy for
Directors and Executive Officers
The Company has adopted a formal policy that prohibits executive
officers and directors from purchasing financial instruments that are designed to hedge or offset a decrease in the market value of Shares
or other securities of the Company held by the executive officer or director.
Executive Compensation
Clawback Policy
The Company has adopted an Executive Compensation Clawback
Policy which allows the Board to require reimbursement of excess cash-based incentives and equity-based compensation paid or granted to
executive officers in circumstances where either: (i) (a) the Company is required to restate its financial statements, or (b) incentive
awards were awarded based on the achievement of performance targets through wrongful conduct (i.e., fraud, gross negligence or intentional
misconduct); and (ii) the incentive award paid to the executive would have been lower absent the wrongful conduct.
Officer Equity Ownership
Guidelines
The Company has approved equity ownership guidelines that are applicable
to all executive officers (the “Equity Ownership Guidelines”). The Equity Ownership Guidelines align the interests
of all executive officers with those of shareholders by mandating a minimum value of New Gold equity that officers must hold.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
33 | |
Executive Class |
Equity Ownership Requirement |
Chief Executive Officer |
3 times Base Salary |
Executive Vice-Presidents |
1.5 times Base Salary |
Senior Vice President and
Vice-Presidents |
1 times Base Salary |
For the purposes of the Equity Ownership Guidelines, Shares and RSUs
are valued at the higher of (1) current “Market Price” (defined as the volume weighted average price of the five days
prior to the date of measurement) and (2) acquisition or the closing price on the day of grant. PSUs are valued at 50% of the higher of
(1) current Market Price and (2) closing price on the day of grant. Options do not count towards the requirement. Officers have five years
from the date on which they became an officer to satisfy these guidelines. The table below applies the Equity Ownership Guidelines to
the NEOs on March 4, 2022 using the base salaries for the NEOs for 2022 being $725,000 for Mr. Adams, $500,000 for Mr. Chausse, $427,500
for Mr. Vinet, $430,000 for Mr. Shah and $375,000 for Mr. Keating and using the Market Price on March 4, 2022.
Name
and Position |
Number
of Shares
Held |
Number
of RSUs
Held |
Number
of
PSUs Held |
Total
Value of
Shares, RSUs & PSUs(1) |
Multiple
of Base
Salary(1) |
Requirement
&
Date to Meet |
Renaud
Adams
President and Chief Executive
Officer |
937,348 |
543,002 |
1,904,469 |
$5,385,592(2) |
7.4x |
3x
Meets
requirement |
Robert
Chausse
Executive Vice President
and
Chief Financial Officer |
603,803 |
230,495
|
791,098
|
$2,742,304 |
5.5x |
1.5x
Meets
requirement |
Eric
Vinet
Senior Vice President,
Operations |
19,103 |
136,086
|
454,265
|
$833,461 |
1.9x |
1x
Meets
requirement |
Ankit
Shah
Vice President, Strategy
and
Business Development |
33,361 |
120,820
|
354,805
|
$725,703 |
1.7x |
1x
Meets
requirement |
Sean
Keating
Vice President, General
Counsel
and Corporate Secretary |
25,003 |
96,338
|
295,401
|
$589,454 |
1.6x |
1x
Meets
requirement |
| (1) | Calculated using 50% of the number of PSUs and the current market value using the
five-day volume weighted average trading price of New Gold’s Shares on the TSX for the five trading days prior to March 4, 2022
of $2.18. |
| (2) | Equal to the sum of the current market value of the Shares held ($2,125,977), PSUs held ($2,075,871) and RSUs held ($1,183,744),
each valued as described in the explanation prior to the table and using the five-day volume weighted average trading price of New Gold’s
Shares on the TSX for the five trading days prior March 4, 2022 of $2.18. |
For the terms of the Equity Ownership Guidelines applicable to non-executive
directors, see “Statement of Director Compensation - Director Compensation Table - Director Equity Ownership Guidelines”
on page 64.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
34 | |
Succession Planning for Executive
Officers
The Company has a formal succession planning process for its
executive officers. As part of this process, the HRCC conducts an annual review of the succession plan for the Company’s key executive
officers and reports to the Board on succession planning. The Board, working with the HRCC, is responsible for identifying and evaluating
any potential successor to the Chief Executive Officer. The HRCC most recently reviewed the succession plans for the Company’s key
executive officers on August 9, 2021. As part of its review process, the HRCC considered potential successors and evaluated the readiness
of such potential successors to assume the relevant position.
Compensation
Discussion and Analysis
Named Executive Officers
The compensation for New Gold’s President and Chief Executive
Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and three next most highly paid executives (collectively, the “NEOs”
and each an “NEO”) is presented on the following pages. Each page also includes a description of the NEO’s role
and responsibilities at New Gold, as well as details of their key results for 2021. For additional details regarding the compensation
paid to NEOs, including how the figures were calculated, refer to the Summary Compensation Table on page 55.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
35 | |
|
RENAUD
ADAMS
President and Chief Executive
Officer
Mr. Adams has over 25 years of
experience in the mining industry, including senior leadership roles at Richmont Mines Inc. from 2014 to 2017 and at Primero Mining Corporation.
Prior to that, Mr. Adams held various senior operational roles at mining operations located in the Americas.
As President and Chief Executive
Officer, Mr. Adams is responsible for leadership and overall management of the Company, including developing and executing current and
long-term objectives, delivering strong results, fostering a high performance culture consistent with New Gold’s values, and acting
as a key corporate representative in dealing with stakeholder groups. |
|
Key 2021 Results
• Oversaw
operations meeting adjusted 2021 production guidance and generating free cash flow at both mines
• Oversaw
continued development of the B3/C-Zone project at New Afton
• Maintained
open and effective communication with the Company’s stakeholders
• Oversaw
implementation of New Gold’s Sustainability Strategy and increased ESG related disclosure |
• Individual
Performance Rating: 90% |
Elements
of Direct Compensation
• Mr. Adams’ annual
performance-based awards for 2021 were based 80% on corporate performance and 20% on personal performance.
• Mr. Adams’ 2021 short-term and long- term incentive awards were 93% and 225% of his salary, respectively.
|
Direct Compensation |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
Fixed compensation |
|
|
|
Salary |
$700,000 |
$650,000 |
$600,000 |
Variable compensation |
|
|
|
Short-term incentives |
$647,500 |
$1,040,000 |
$636,000 |
Long-term incentives |
|
|
|
Stock Option award |
$393,750 |
$650,000 |
$506,250 |
PSU award |
$787,500 |
$1,300,000 |
$1,012,500 |
RSU award |
$393,750 |
$650,000 |
$506,250 |
Total direct compensation |
$2,922,500 |
$4,290,000 |
$3,261,000 |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
36 | |
|
ROBERT
CHAUSSE
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Chausse has an extensive
background of more than 25 years of international finance and mining experience. Mr. Chausse has held the CFO position at Richmont Mines
Inc., Stornoway Diamonds and AuRico Gold, in addition to senior positions in finance at Kinross Gold, Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation
and Barrick Gold. Mr. Chausse received his Chartered Accountant designation in 1990.
At New Gold, Mr. Chausse is responsible
for financial reporting, taxation, finance, treasury, metals marketing and financial risk management. Mr. Chausse is a key representative
with New Gold’s bank syndicate and bondholders. |
Key 2021 Results
• Led
the finance group in maintaining a disciplined financial control environment
• Led
extension and expansion of New Gold’s US$400 million credit facility to 2025
• Oversaw
New Gold’s enterprise risk management and capital management systems
• Managed
overall liquidity |
• Individual
Performance Rating: 110% |
Elements of Direct Compensation
• Mr. Chausse’s annual performance-based awards for 2021 were based 70% on corporate performance and 30% on personal performance.
•
Mr. Chausse’s 2021 short-term and long-term incentive awards were 74% and 165% of his salary, respectively.
|
Direct Compensation |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
Fixed compensation |
|
|
|
Salary |
$460,000 |
$446,250 |
$425,000 |
Variable compensation |
|
|
|
Short-term incentives |
$339,480 |
$518,096 |
$403,538 |
Long-term incentives |
|
|
|
Stock Option award |
$189,750 |
$251,016 |
$207,188 |
PSU award |
$379,500 |
$502,031 |
$414,375 |
RSU award |
$189,750 |
$251,016 |
$207,188 |
Total direct compensation |
$1,558,480 |
$1,968,409 |
$1,657,288 |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
37 | |
|
ERIC
VINET
Senior Vice President, Operations
Mr. Vinet has over 30 years of
experience in the mining industry and brings with him a wealth of knowledge in numerous areas of mining production, including with various
types of deposits: precious metals (gold, silver), base metals (copper, zinc, nickel), as well as with both underground and open pit mining
operations. Mr. Vinet has been involved at various stages of mine construction and optimization, general site layout, and water and tailings
facilities.
At New Gold, as Senior Vice President,
Operations Mr. Vinet is responsible for mining operations and the corporate technical services group. |
Key 2021 Results
• Led
operations to meet revised production and cost guidance and generate free cash flow at both mines
• Oversaw
new study of the Rainy River Mine underground that converted approximately 569,000 underground gold ounces from Mineral Resources
to Mineral Reserves
• Oversaw
capital execution at Rainy River and New Afton
• Oversaw
exploration programs at Rainy River and New Afton |
• Individual
Performance Rating: 90% |
Elements
of Direct Compensation
• Mr. Vinet’s annual performance-based awards for 2021 were based 60% on corporate performance and 40% on personal performance.
• Mr. Vinet’s 2021 short-term
and long-term incentive awards were 55% and 113% of his salary, respectively.
|
Direct Compensation |
2021(1) |
2020(2) |
2019(3) |
Fixed compensation |
|
|
|
Salary |
$415,000 |
$363,454 |
$334,848 |
Variable compensation |
|
|
|
Short-term incentives |
$226,590 |
$266,705 |
$185,300 |
Long-term incentives |
|
|
|
Stock Option award |
$116,719 |
$152,527 |
$185,500 |
PSU award |
$233,438 |
$305,055 |
$296,000 |
RSU award |
$116,719 |
$152,527 |
$110,500 |
Total direct compensation |
$1,108,465 |
$1,240,268 |
$1,112,148 |
| (1) | Due to rounding, some totals may not equal the sum of the separate figures. |
| (2) | Mr. Vinet was promoted to Senior Vice President, Operations effective October 19, 2020. For 2020,
the salary indicated is a pro-rated amount of his current and prior role. Mr. Vinet’s full year 2020 base salary following his promotion
was $415,000. |
| (3) | Mr. Vinet was appointed Vice President, Technical Services effective January 7, 2019. For 2019, the
salary indicated is a pro-rated amount. Mr. Vinet’s 2019 full-year base salary was $340,000. Effective August 1, 2019, Mr. Vinet
was temporarily appointed Vice President, General Manager, Rainy River. In connection with his appointment to that role, Mr. Vinet received
47,170 PSUs and 92,593 Options.
|
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
38 | |
|
ANKIT
SHAH
Vice President, Strategy and
Business Development
Mr. Shah is a mining finance
executive with 15 years of experience in strategy, corporate development, capital allocation, and investor relations, primarily within
the mining industry. Mr. Shah joined the Company in 2010 with the primary focus of working with the corporate development and investor
relations teams. Since that time, he has taken on progressively more responsibility for many facets of the business, including working
with both the operations and exploration groups of the Company.
At New Gold, Mr. Shah is responsible
for the Company’s strategy and business development activities, which includes identifying, evaluating and advancing growth opportunities
and investor relations. |
Key 2021 Results
• Led
the sale of the Blackwater Project gold stream to Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. for US$300 million
• Led
investments in minority positions in exploration-stage companies
• Assessed
strategic opportunities for the Company in line with strategic goals
• Maintained
corporate and banking relationships to facilitate strategic transactions
• Enhanced
capital markets and investor relations strategy and further strengthened external relationships |
• Individual
Performance Rating: 130% |
Elements of Direct Compensation
•
Mr. Shah’s annual performance-based awards for 2021 were based 50% on corporate performance and 50% on personal performance.
• Mr. Shah’s 2021 short-term and
long-term incentive awards were 60% and 163% of his salary, respectively.
|
Direct Compensation |
2021(1) |
2020 |
2019(2) |
Fixed compensation |
|
|
|
Salary |
$350,000 |
$300,000 |
$246,917 |
Variable compensation |
|
|
|
Short-term incentives |
$210,000 |
$202,500 |
$133,193 |
Long-term incentives |
|
|
|
Stock Option award |
$142,188 |
$112,500 |
$63,900 |
PSU award |
$284,375 |
$225,000 |
$127,800 |
RSU award |
$142,188 |
$112,500 |
$63,900 |
Total direct compensation |
$1,128,750 |
$952,500 |
$635,710 |
| (1) | Due to rounding, some totals may not equal the sum of the separate figures. |
| (2) | Mr. Shah was promoted to Vice President, Strategy and Business Development effective
September 9, 2019. For 2019, the salary indicated is a pro-rated amount of his current and prior role. Mr. Shah’s full year 2019
base salary following his promotion was $300,000.
|
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
39 | |
|
SEAN
KEATING
Vice President, General Counsel
and Corporate Secretary
Mr. Keating has over 15 years
of experience in corporate and securities law and mergers and acquisitions, primarily in the mining industry. Mr. Keating joined New Gold
in 2016 and was appointed Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in November 2019. Prior to joining New Gold, Mr. Keating
was corporate counsel to Barrick Gold Corporation and practiced law at Torys LLP. Mr. Keating holds a J.D. and M.B.A. from the University
of Toronto.
At New Gold, Mr. Keating is responsible
for the legal and corporate governance functions of the Company. |
Key 2021 Results
• Led
the legal group in managing New Gold’s legal risks
• Played
key role in the sale of the Blackwater Project gold stream to Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. for US$300 million
• Played
key role in extension and expansion of New Gold’s US$400 million credit facility to 2025
• Played
key role in negotiation of a new Cooperation Agreement with First Nations at New Afton |
• Individual
Performance Rating: 120% |
Elements of Direct Compensation
•
Mr. Keating’s annual performance-based awards for 2021 were based 50% on corporate performance and 50% on personal performance.
• Mr. Keating’s 2021 short-term
and long-term incentive awards were 48% and 120% of his salary, respectively.
|
Direct Compensation |
2021 |
2020 |
2019(1) |
Fixed compensation |
|
|
|
Salary |
$330,000 |
$320,000 |
$261,913 |
Variable compensation |
|
|
|
Short-term incentives |
$156,750 |
$200,000 |
$130,200 |
Long-term incentives |
|
|
|
Stock Option award |
$99,000 |
$104,000 |
$57,500 |
PSU award |
$198,000 |
$208,000 |
$115,000 |
RSU award |
$99,000 |
$104,000 |
$57,500 |
Total direct compensation |
$882,750 |
$936,000 |
$622,113 |
| (1) | Mr. Keating was promoted to Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary effective November
5, 2019. For 2019, the salary indicated is a pro-rated amount of his current and prior role. Mr. Keating’s full year 2019 base salary
following his promotion was $320,000.
|
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
40 | |
Components of NEO Compensation
Compensation of the NEOs for the year ended December 31, 2021
included base salary, short-term incentives, long-term incentives, consisting of Options, PSUs and RSUs, and other compensation such as
retirement and health benefits. New Gold believes that all of these components of compensation fit into New Gold’s overall compensation
objectives to attract and retain talented executives, reward individual and corporate performance, and align executive compensation with
shareholder interests.
Base Salary
Base salary is a fixed component of pay that compensates NEOs
for fulfilling their roles and responsibilities and aids in the attraction and retention of talented executives. To continue to attract,
motivate and retain qualified and experienced executives, base salaries are reviewed annually and, if appropriate, adjusted to ensure
they are generally at the median of the Company’s Peer Group. Below are the annualized base salaries of NEOs for 2021.
Name |
Base Salary 2021 |
Renaud Adams |
$700,000 |
Robert Chausse |
$460,000 |
Eric Vinet |
$415,000 |
Ankit Shah |
$350,000 |
Sean Keating |
$330,000 |
Short-Term Incentives
The short-term incentive plan is an annual variable component
of cash compensation. It is designed to reward NEOs for individual and corporate performance that maximizes the operating, sustainability
and financial success of the Company. Incentives are paid at the discretion of the Board. Target incentive amounts are established at
a level designed to ensure that cash compensation for NEOs is competitive with that offered by the Peer Group. Targets are set as a percentage
of base salary.
Short-term incentives for NEOs are determined based on a number
of factors, including the performance of both the Company and the individual NEO against Company and individual performance factors, with
the relative weighting between corporate and personal accomplishments reflecting the NEO’s position and ability to directly impact
corporate performance. Incentives are weighted based on company performance and individual performance and vary by level. Below are the
target percentages and weightings for the NEOs:
Name |
STI Target Award as % of Base Salary |
Performance Weightings |
Company |
Individual |
Renaud Adams |
125% |
80% |
20% |
Robert Chausse |
90% |
70% |
30% |
Eric Vinet |
70% |
60% |
40% |
Ankit Shah |
60% |
50% |
50% |
Sean Keating |
50% |
50% |
50% |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
41 | |
Below is New Gold’s short-term incentive performance
review process:
| 1) | Early each year, on the recommendation of the HRCC, the Board approves a scorecard of performance factors (the “Company Scorecard”)
to assess annual Company performance, including measures of health and safety, environmental and sustainability performance, capital execution,
operational execution and measures of corporate performance related to the Company’s financial position and share price performance.
The Board also approves a weighting for each factor in the Company Scorecard, expressed as a percentage amount with the total target “Company
performance rating” equal to 100%. Most targets can be measured quantitatively while some measure qualitative factors that the HRCC
believes are important to Company performance. Qualitative performance goals are assessed by the HRCC at the end of the year in discussion
with the President and Chief Executive Officer. For each factor in the Company Scorecard, a target is defined, as well as a threshold
and a stretch target. If performance is below the threshold, a score of zero is assigned to the factor. If the target is achieved, a score
of 100% is assigned to the factor. If the stretch target is met or exceeded, a score of 200% is assigned to the factor. Performance between
the threshold and target, and between target and the stretch target, is interpolated to score the factor between zero and 200%. |
| 2) | In January of the following year, the HRCC reviews Company performance against the Company Scorecard, and also considers other relevant
events and circumstances, to establish an overall Company Scorecard total score to be the Company performance rating. The Company Scorecard
total score is the sum of the scores for all performance factors (weighted as described in the Company Scorecard) and can therefore be
more or less than 100%. The HRCC recommends the Company Scorecard total score to the Board for approval. |
| 3) | At the end of the year, each NEO’s individual performance is reviewed. The HRCC reviews the President and Chief Executive Officer’s
performance and assesses an individual score based on professional growth, leadership in advancing the Company’s objectives, interaction
with stakeholders (including the Board), overall leadership style as well as other relevant factors to determine a performance rating.
Individual performance for other NEOs is assessed by the President and Chief Executive Officer and reviewed and approved by the Board. |
| 4) | Once proposed short-term incentives have been calculated based on the Company Scorecard and individual performance, the HRCC reviews
the total direct compensation of the NEOs and other officers. The HRCC may also consider other relevant factors, including compensation
benchmarking, share price performance and extraordinary events and transactions, and determines if any adjustment to any component of
compensation is appropriate. If so, the HRCC gives directions to enable management to prepare a revised executive compensation proposal
or exercises its discretion to adjust proposed compensation upwards or downwards depending on the relevant factors. The HRCC then provides
feedback and further guidance as necessary to refine the proposed compensation until a final version is approved by the HRCC and recommended
to the Board for approval. |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
42 | |
Company Scorecard in 2021
The 2021 Company Scorecard is set out below. In developing
the Company Scorecard each year, the HRCC and management consider the value of annual consistent performance factors as well as the value
of new performance factors that reflect evolving Company objectives. The differences between the 2020 Company Scorecard and the 2021 Company
Scorecard are as follows:
| • | One performance factor on the 2020 Company Scorecard was not included on the 2021 Company Scorecard, the factor with respect to balance
sheet and debt restructuring. This performance factor was connected to the Company’s 2020 objective of improving the Company’s
debt position, which was a focus addressed in 2020 through actions including the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan deal at New Afton,
the sale of the Blackwater Project, the redemption of the 2022 senior notes through the issuance of 2027 senior notes and the redemption
of $200 million of 2025 senior notes. Replacing this performance factor on the 2021 Company Scorecard were measures of liquidity and free
cash flow, aimed at measuring the Company’s ability to maintain and build on its improved financial position, as well as a growth
performance factor. Also connected to growth, a performance factor of reserve depletion replacement was added to emphasize the importance
of exploration and resource conversion at both mine sites.
|
| • | The Company also modified its approach to measuring environmental performance on the 2021 Company Scorecard, reflecting the growing
emphasis on ESG and sustainability. In 2020 and prior years, environmental performance was measured by the number of incidents that were
reportable to regulators. In preparing the 2021 Company Scorecard, the HRCC expanded this measurement of environmental performance to
include performance under three of the Mining Association of Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining (“TSM”) protocols
related to energy use, water and tailings management. These new measures provide for a broader assessment of the Company’s environmental
performance and also better align with the Company’s sustainability focus areas. |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
43 | |
Performance
Goal |
Category
Weight |
Overall
Weight |
Target |
Score |
Result(1) |
Health,
Safety & Sustainability |
|
25% |
|
|
69% |
Health
& Safety (Total Reportable Injury
Frequency Rate)(1) |
50% |
12.5% |
1.00 |
See
note 1 |
0% |
New
Afton TSM Energy Use and
greenhouse gas (“GHG”) Emissions
Management Protocol(2) |
6.25% |
1.6% |
AAA |
AAA
& 1,000
TCO2e GHG
reduction |
200% |
Rainy
River TSM Energy Use and GHG
Emissions Management Protocol(2) |
6.25% |
1.6% |
AA |
AA |
100% |
TSM
Water Stewardship Protocol(3) |
12.5% |
3.1% |
AA |
AA |
100% |
TSM
Tailings Management Protocol(3) |
12.5% |
3.1% |
AA |
AAA |
200% |
TSM
Indigenous and Community
Relationships Protocol(3) |
12.5% |
3.1% |
AA |
AA |
100% |
Capital
Management & Execution |
15% |
|
|
100% |
Major
Capital(4)(5)
($ million) |
50% |
7.5% |
208 |
205.4 |
110% |
Capital
Execution(6) |
50% |
7.5% |
1x |
0.9 |
90% |
Operational
Excellence |
|
35% |
|
|
45% |
Gold
Production(7)
(thousand ounces) |
35% |
12.3% |
345 |
287 |
0% |
Copper
Production(7)
(million pounds) |
15% |
5.3% |
61 |
61.7 |
100% |
Total
Cash Costs - Rainy River(4)(8)(13)(14)
($ / oz eq. gold) |
15% |
5.3% |
718 |
923 |
0% |
Total
Cash Costs - New Afton(4)(8)(13)(14)
($ / oz eq. gold) |
15% |
5.3% |
839 |
1,015 |
0% |
Reserve
Depletion Replacement(9) |
20% |
7.0% |
100%
Depletion
Replacement |
127% |
150% |
Liquidity
& Growth |
|
25% |
|
|
88% |
Liquidity(10)
(US$ million) |
30% |
7.5% |
526 |
557 |
130% |
Free
Cash Flow(13)(15)
(US$ million) |
10% |
2.5% |
41 |
35 |
80% |
Share
Price Performance(11)
(measure of relative performance) |
25% |
6.3% |
match
performance
0% |
-20% |
60% |
Growth(12) |
35% |
8.8% |
1x |
0.7x |
70% |
Total |
|
|
|
|
70% |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
44 | |
| (1) | The fatality at the New Afton Mine on February 2, 2021 resulted in the metric being scored a zero,
regardless of the Total Reportable Injury Frequency Rate (“TRIFR”). TRIFR is calculated by adding the total number
of fatalities, lost time, medical treatment and restricted duty injury cases, multiplied by 200,000, and dividing such number by the total
number of hours worked. The TRIFR target includes Cerro
San Pedro (“CSP”), New Afton and Rainy River for the full year 2021. |
| (2) | New Afton Energy score is based on their TSM Protocol rating and includes a stretch goal of reducing GHG emission by 1,000 TCO2e
from 2020 levels. Rainy River Energy score is based on improving their current TSM Protocol rating. |
| (3) | Based on TSM Protocol ratings for New Gold’s two Canadian operating mines (Rainy River and New Afton). |
| (4) | Certain financial metrics are adjusted to remove impact of actual versus budgeted foreign exchange rate and metal prices (i.e,
capital expenditure, total cash costs ($/eq. oz) ($1,600 Au, $17.50 Ag, $3.00 Cu, $1.30 FX)). |
| (5) | Major capital target is based on incurred capital in 2021 on major capital projects in $CAD. Major Capital Project is defined as
stand-alone capital projects in excess of $10M USD, as per the 2021 budget. If additional major capital projects are added during the
year, then the budget for these projects will be added to the total budget for capital expenditures. |
| (6) | Assessment takes into account how capital expenditures were managed and executed. |
| (7) | Gold production target is equal to the 2021 budget production target and copper production is equal to the 2021 guidance production
target. |
| (8) | Site total cash cost/eq oz. targets are equal to the 2021 budget targets calculated using 2021 guidance equivalent prices to calculate
equivalent ounces sold. |
| (9) | Reserve depletion replacement of approximately 120,000 gold ounces based on approximately 569,000 gold oz of underground Mineral
Resources converted to Mineral Reserves at the Rainy River Mine net of total gold depletion of approximately 444,000 oz (approximately
369,000 oz at the Rainy River Mine and approximately 75,000 oz ounces at the New Afton Mine). |
| (10) | Liquidity is calculated as cash and cash equivalents plus undrawn capacity under the Company’s credit facility at December
31, 2021 and adjusted to exclude the US$300 million proceeds received from the sale of the Blackwater Project gold stream. |
| (11) | Relative share price based on New Gold’s performance relative to GDX. |
| (12) | Assessment takes into account how New Gold achieved Growth - internally or externally, including asset net present value improvement,
strategic investments in early-stage exploration opportunities, and strategic investments in operating/development companies. |
| (13) | “Total
cash costs” and “free cash flow” are non-GAAP financial performance measures
that do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable
to similar measures presented by other issuers. For more information about these measures,
why they are used by the Company and a reconciliation to the most directly comparable measure
under IFRS, please see the “Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measures” section
starting on page 33 of the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for
the year ended December 31, 2021, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com,
and which is incorporated by reference herein. |
| (14) | “Total cash costs” figures are calculated in accordance with a standard developed by The Gold Institute, a worldwide
association of suppliers of gold and gold products that ceased operations in 2002. Adoption of the standard is voluntary and the cost
measures presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Total cash costs include mine site operating
costs such as mining, processing and administration costs, royalties, and production taxes, but are exclusive of amortization, reclamation,
capital and exploration costs. Total cash costs are then divided by gold equivalent ounces sold to arrive at the total cash costs per
equivalent ounce sold. |
| (15) | “Free cash flow" is calculated as cash generated from operations and proceeds of sale of other assets less capital expenditures
on mining interests, lease payments, settlement of non-current derivative financial liabilities which include the Rainy River gold stream
obligation and the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan free cash flow interest. |
Two performance factors in the above scorecard were subjective
measures that were determined by assessment of the HRCC in discussion with the President and CEO: “Capital Execution” and
“Growth”. The target for each these goals was an assessed score of 1 with a potential range of scores from 0 to 2. Below is
a description of the assessment of each score.
| • | Capital
Execution was assessed a score of 0.9. The goal accounted for how capital expenditure was
managed through the year. Capital project management work at the Rainy River Mine and New
Afton Mine was considered, including progress and cost management of the B3 and C-Zone development
at New Afton and the tailings dam raise at Rainy River. |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
45 | |
| • | Growth
was assessed a score of 0.7. The Company’s strategic investments during the year were
considered. The Company made strategic investments in a number of smaller mining and development
companies in 2021, including a 14.9% interest in Talisker Resources Ltd., a 9.9% interest
in Angus Gold Inc. and a 14.9% interest in Harte Gold Corp., which filed for creditor protection
under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act in December 2020. Also, in December
2021, the Company sold the gold stream it had held on the Artemis Gold Blackwater Project
to Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. for US$300 million. |
Also, while the HRCC assessed the Company’s health and
safety performance against the target, it applied a score of zero to this performance factor due to the fatality at the New Afton Mine
in February 2021.
The Company Scorecard total of 70% was used as the Company
performance rating to determine short-term incentive awards for the NEOs.
2021 Awards
The short-term incentive (“STI”) awarded
(as a percentage of Base Salary) is calculated based on the following formula:
,
where
A |
= |
Individual Performance Rating |
B |
= |
Individual Performance Weighting |
C |
= |
Company Performance Rating |
D |
= |
Company Performance Weighting |
The above formula applied to the calculation of actual incentives
paid to each NEO in respect of 2021 are set out in the table below. The assessment of Individual Performance Rating is described below
on page 46 and key 2021 results for the following executives can be found under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Named
Executive Officers” starting on page 35.
Name
|
STI Target
(% of Base
Salary) |
(A)
Individual
Performance
Rating |
(B)
Individual
Performance
Weighting |
(C)
Company
Performance
Rating |
(D)
Company
Performance
Weighting |
STI Award
(% of Base
Salary) |
STI Amount
Paid ($) |
Renaud Adams |
125% |
90% |
20% |
70% |
80% |
93% |
647,500 |
Robert Chausse |
90% |
110% |
30% |
70% |
70% |
74% |
339,480 |
Eric Vinet |
70% |
90% |
40% |
70% |
60% |
55% |
226,590 |
Ankit Shah |
60% |
130% |
50% |
70% |
50% |
60% |
210,000 |
Sean Keating |
50% |
120% |
50% |
70% |
50% |
48% |
156,750 |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
46 | |
Long-Term Incentives
Long-term incentives are an equity-based variable component
of compensation, consisting of a mix of Options, PSUs and RSUs as set out in the chart below. Long-term incentives are designed to align
the interests of executives with those of shareholders by tying compensation to share price performance and to assist in the retention
of talented executives through long-term vesting schedules.
The HRCC believes that the mix of 25% Options, 25% RSUs and
50% PSUs best rewards corporate and individual performance while aligning the interests of executives with those of shareholders. Options
reward the NEOs’ success in achieving sustained, long-term profitability that increases New Gold’s share price. RSUs align
executive compensation with share price and serve as a retention tool, while also addressing shareholder concerns regarding share dilution,
as the Company settles RSUs in cash. PSUs reward the NEOs’ success in achieving comparatively better share price performance relative
to the broader gold mining industry.
Long-term incentive awards were determined by multiplying
the NEO’s Individual Performance Rating by the NEO’s LTI target, both of which are set out in the table below. Individual
Performance Ratings for each NEO were determined considering the key results achieved by each NEO as set out in their profiles beginning
on page 15, the contribution of these key results to the Company’s strategy, objectives and results in 2021, and the NEO’s
overall contribution to the Company during the year. Mr. Adams assessed the Individual Performance Rating of each NEO other than himself
and recommended these Individual Performance Ratings to the HRCC, which reviewed the recommended ratings in determining the NEOs’
LTI awards. The HRCC assessed the Individual Performance Rating of Mr. Adams. Individual Performance Ratings were considered appropriate
having regard to the disappointing results of operations, ESG performance during the year, the impact of transactions that led to the
Company’s strong liquidity position at year-end, and the contributions made by the NEOs to these results.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
47 | |
The long-term incentive targets and actual awards as a percentage
of base salary for the NEOs in 2021 are set out in the table below.
Name |
LTI Target Award as %
of Base Salary
(A) |
Individual Performance
Rating
(B) |
LTI Amount as %
of Base Salary
(A x B) |
Renaud Adams |
250% |
90% |
225% |
Robert Chausse |
150% |
110% |
165% |
Eric Vinet |
125% |
90% |
113% |
Ankit Shah |
125% |
130% |
163% |
Sean Keating |
100% |
120% |
120% |
Stock Options
Options are granted under New Gold’s Stock Option Plan
described in this Circular under “Equity Compensation Plans - Stock Option Plan” in Schedule A.
The HRCC recommends Option awards to the Board after considering input from management. In addition to the considerations discussed
above under “Long-Term Incentives”, the HRCC considers the number of Options held by an NEO and considers the total
number of Options outstanding in making decisions or recommendations for Option grants to the Board. The Board has delegated authority
to the HRCC to grant individual awards of up to 100,000 Options to persons eligible to receive Options who are not officers. Option awards
in excess of 100,000 Options or to officers require approval by the Board. The value of Option awards is calculated using a Black-Scholes
option valuation methodology consistent with the methodology for valuing Options for New Gold’s stock-based compensation expense
in its financial statements.
One-third of the number of Options granted vest on the first
anniversary of the grant date, one-third vest on the second anniversary and one-third vest on the third anniversary. Options expire on
the fifth anniversary of the grant date. The exercise price of Options is the volume weighted average trading price of the Shares of New
Gold on the TSX for the five trading days ending on the last trading day immediately before the date of grant. For more information on
Options and the Company’s Stock Option Plan, see “Equity Compensation Plans” in Schedule A.
2021 Option Awards
In February 2022, the Board approved the grant of the following
Options to the NEOs in recognition of their performance in 2021 and as part of their 2021 compensation.
Name |
Number of Options Granted(1) |
Value of Option Award(2) |
Renaud Adams |
354,730 |
$393,750 |
Robert Chausse |
170,946 |
$189,750 |
Eric Vinet |
105,152 |
$116,719 |
Ankit Shah |
128,097 |
$142,188 |
Sean Keating |
89,189 |
$99,000 |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
48 | |
| (1) | Granted March 4, 2022 and valued as of such date. For more information on the grant, terms and valuation
of these Options, refer to the Summary Compensation Table on page 55 and the notes thereto. |
| (2) | Option awards vest in three equal instalments on each of the first, second and third anniversaries
of the date of grant. |
Restricted Share Units
(RSUs)
The Board considers RSUs an appropriate form of compensation
for NEOs as they promote retention and align NEO compensation to the Company’s share price. The corresponding reduction in Options
also reduces shareholder concerns about dilution.
RSUs vest on the entitlement date or dates, as determined
by the Board in its discretion. On an entitlement date, the Company makes a payment in cash equal to the five-day volume weighted average
price of the Company’s Shares on the TSX for the five trading days preceding the entitlement date multiplied by the number of RSUs
vesting. For RSUs granted on March 4, 2022, one-third of the number of RSUs granted will vest January 1, 2023, one-third of the number
of RSUs granted will vest January 1, 2024, and one-third of the number of RSUs granted will vest December 15, 2024. A full description
of the terms of the RSUs and the Long Term Incentive Plan is set out in this Circular under “Equity Compensation Plans - Long
Term Incentive Plan” in Schedule A.
2021 RSU Awards
In February 2022, the Board approved the grant of the following
RSUs to the NEOs in recognition of their performance in 2021 and as part of their 2021 compensation. RSUs are satisfied in cash.
Name |
Number of RSUs Granted(1) |
Total Value of RSU Award(1) |
Renaud Adams |
180,619 |
$393,750 |
Robert Chausse |
87,041 |
$189,750 |
Eric Vinet |
53,541 |
$116,716 |
Ankit Shah |
65,224 |
$142,188 |
Sean Keating |
45,413 |
$99,000 |
| (1) | Granted March 4, 2022 and valued as of such date. On the entitlement date of the RSUs, the cash payment
in satisfaction of the RSUs will be based on the current market price and number of RSUs granted. One third of each RSU grant will vest
on each of January 1, 2023, January 1, 2024 and December 15, 2024. For more information on the grant, terms and valuation of these RSUs,
refer to the Summary Compensation Table on page 55 and the notes thereto. |
Performance Share Units
(PSUs)
PSUs are granted under the Long Term Incentive Plan. The Board
considers PSUs to be an appropriate form of compensation for NEOs as PSUs are not guaranteed and their value is tied to the performance
of the Company relative to the broader gold mining industry over the applicable performance measurement periods.
The HRCC recommends PSU awards to the Board after considering
input from management. In addition to the considerations discussed above under “Long-Term Incentives”, the HRCC considers
the number of PSUs held by an NEO and the total number of PSUs outstanding in making recommendations for PSU grants to the Board. The
Board has delegated authority to the HRCC to grant individual awards of up to 100,000 PSUs to employees who are not officers. PSU awards
in excess of 100,000 PSUs or to officers require approval by the Board.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
49 | |
PSUs vest on the entitlement date, as determined by the Board
in its discretion. In addition, vesting of PSUs is subject to performance conditions or measures to be achieved by the Company determined
by the Board at the time the PSUs are granted, the Board makes the vesting of such PSUs subject to, the Participant (as defined in the
PSU plan) or a class of Participants, before the relevant entitlement date. PSUs granted on March 4, 2022 will vest in Shares on January
1, 2025, with the number of Shares to be issued depending on “Achieved Performance”. The Achieved Performance is a
percentage that is multiplied by the number of PSUs granted to determine the number of Shares to be issued on the entitlement date. It
is calculated based on the difference (the “TSR Difference”) between New Gold’s total shareholder return (“TSR”)
and the TSR of the S&P/TSX Global Gold Index (the “Index”) (i.e., New Gold’s TSR minus the Index TSR) for
each of four measurement periods (the “Measurement Periods”). The four Measurement Periods are equally weighted in
determining the total Achieved Performance for a particular PSU grant.
The Measurement Periods for outstanding PSUs are set out below:
Measurement Periods |
Percentage of Total
Achieved Performance |
P1: January 1 to December 31 of year one (year of grant) |
25% |
P2: January 1 to December 31 of year two |
25% |
P3: January 1 to December 31 of year three |
25% |
P4: January 1 of year one to December 31 of year three |
25% |
At the end of each Measurement Period, the TSR Difference
is calculated. If New Gold’s TSR exceeds the TSR of the Index in a Measurement Period (i.e., the TSR Difference is greater than
zero), the Achieved Performance for that period will be over 100%. Similarly, if New Gold’s TSR is less than the TSR of the Index
in a Measurement Period (i.e., the TSR Difference is less than zero), the Achieved Performance for that period will be less than 100%.
The minimum Achieved Performance for any Measurement Period is 0% and the maximum is 200%. A full description of PSUs and the Long Term
Incentive Plan, including full details of the performance measures used, is set out in this Circular under “Equity Compensation
Plans - Long Term Incentive Plan” in Schedule A.
2021 PSU Awards
In February 2022, the Board approved the grant of the following
PSUs to the NEOs in recognition of their performance in 2021 and as part of their 2021 compensation.
Name |
Number of PSUs Granted(1) |
Total Value of PSU Award(1) |
Renaud Adams |
361,239 |
$787,500 |
Robert Chausse |
174,083 |
$379,500 |
Eric Vinet |
107,081 |
$233,438 |
Ankit Shah |
130,447 |
$284,375 |
Sean Keating |
90,826 |
$198,000 |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
50 | |
| (1) | Granted March 4, 2022 and valued as of such date. On the entitlement date of the PSUs, which will
be January 1, 2025 for this PSU grant, the number of PSUs that vest and result in the issuance of New Gold shares will vary from 0% to
200% of the number of PSUs granted, based on the Achieved Performance Ratio (as defined below) that measures the difference between New
Gold’s total shareholder return compared to the Index return for each Measurement Period as well as accounting for applicable withholding
tax. For more information on the grant, terms and valuation of these PSUs, refer to the Summary Compensation Table on page 55 and the
notes thereto. |
Retirement Benefits and Other
Compensation
New Gold sponsors a voluntary Group RRSP program for Canadian
corporate employees. Participating Canadian employees may contribute between 1% and 9% of their base salary to the RRSP program. New Gold
then matches the employee contributions up to a maximum amount based on the annual limitation set each year by the Canada Revenue Agency.
In 2021, the limitation on the Company’s matching contributions was $13,915 for each participating employee.
Other than matching contributions to the retirement program
described above (which amounts are included in the column entitled “All Other Compensation” in the Summary Compensation
Table on page 55), New Gold does not provide retirement benefits for NEOs. The Company also provides the NEOs with benefits to provide
financial reassurance in the event of illness, disability or death. During 2021, benefits provided to NEOs were similar to those provided
to other employees at the corporate office, except for annual health assessments which have been available for executives since 2008.
Other compensation paid to NEOs in 2021 is included in the
Summary Compensation Table on page 55 in the column “All Other Compensation” and described in the applicable notes
to the table.
Changes to Compensation
Assessment for 2022
In 2022, the Company’s focus is on operational execution
at Rainy River and New Afton. The HRCC has implemented key changes to the Company Scorecard and its individual executive compensation
approach to further emphasize this focus.
| • | The
2022 Company Scorecard will be weighted 35% to operational excellence and a further 40% towards
the generation of free cash flow. Combined, 75% of the 2022 Company Scorecard will be based
on cost-effective production and project management at Rainy River and New Afton. Also, the
ESG target on the 2022 Company Scorecard will be AAA scores rather than AA scores on the
TSM protocols related to energy use, water, tailings management and Indigenous and community
relationships. |
| • | The
HRCC has adjusted the weighting of company and individual performance in short-term incentive
awards. In 2022, the individual performance weighting and company performance weighting for
NEOs used to determine short term incentive awards will change from those set out in the
table on page 46. The short-term incentive award for the President and Chief Executive Officer
will be based 100% on company performance weighting, meaning Mr. Adams short term incentive
will be 100% based on the result of the 2022 Corporate Scorecard. For other NEOs, company
performance weighting will be 70% and individual performance weighting, based on the individual
performance rating, will make up the other 30%. |
| • | Also
in 2022, long-term incentive awards will be awarded at target rather than being multiplied
by the individual officer’s performance score. The HRCC will have discretion to modify
awards; however, the individual performance rating will not be multiplied by an individual’s
long-term incentive target amount to determine long-term incentive awards. The HRCC believes
that these changes will incentivize executive officers towards the Company’s objectives
and working together to improve operational execution at Rainy River and New Afton. |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
51 | |
Realized and Realizable Pay for the President
and Chief Executive Officer
Given that long-term incentives represent a majority of the
NEOs’ total direct compensation, the value realized from an NEO’s compensation is tied directly to New Gold’s share
price performance. This reinforces the alignment of NEO compensation with New Gold’s performance and the shareholder experience.
The chart below compares the reported total direct compensation awarded to Mr. Adams for his first three full years as President and Chief
Executive Officer to the realized and realizable value of this compensation as of March 4, 2022. New Gold’s share price increased
by 143% in 2020 and decreased by 33% in 2021 and trends have impacted the amounts Mr. Adams has realized and which are realizable in the
long-term incentive compensation he was awarded in prior years. The increasing share price in 2020, increased the realized and realizable
value of long-term incentives Mr. Adams received in March 2020, as part of his 2019 total direct compensation. The decreasing share price
in 2021, decreased the realized and realizable value of the long-term incentives Mr. Adams received in March 2020 and those received in
March 2021 as part of his 2020 total direct compensation. Mr. Adams will realize and potentially increase the value of his long-term incentives
for 2019, 2020 and 2021 in future years if New Gold executes its strategy and maintains or increases its share price, which will align
with gains for shareholders as well.
| (1) | Total Direct Compensation for a year represents actual compensation paid in respect of a performance
year, including the STI awards paid and LTI awards granted after year-end but in respect of such year. |
| (2) | Total Realized Pay includes base salary and STI awards paid and LTI grants that have vested as of
March 4, 2022, as applicable, or exercised with respect to Options. As at March 4, 2022, one-third of Mr. Adams’ RSUs for the 2020
performance year had vested. These vested RSUs are reflected in 2020 realized pay. As at March 4, 2022, two-thirds of Mr. Adams’
RSUs for the 2019 performance had vested. These vested RSUs are reflected in 2019 realizable pay. None of Mr. Adams’ PSUs granted
for performance in 2019, 2020 or 2021 have vested and none of Mr. Adams’ Options granted performance in those years have been exercised.
|
| (3) | Total Realizable Pay is the sum value as of March 4,
2022 of unvested PSUs granted that year (calculated using actual performance for completed performance periods - an Achieved Performance
Ratio of 200% for the 2020 performance period and 0% for the 2021 performance period - and assuming target performance for future performance
periods), the in-the-money value of unexercised options (whether or not vested) and unvested RSUs. Calculated using the closing price
of New Gold’s Shares on the TSX the day immediately before the valuation (March 3, 2022) of $2.17. |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
52 | |
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative TSR for $100 invested
in Shares of New Gold from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2021 against the cumulative total shareholder return of the S&P/TSX
Composite Index and the Index for the same period, assuming the reinvestment of all dividends. In 2021, New Gold’s TSR was
33% compared to 5% for the Index and 25% for the S&P/TSX Composite Index.
The graph below illustrates how total NEO Compensation has changed over
the same period, which has directionally aligned with New Gold TSR.
| (1) | NEO compensation is total compensation paid in each year to the NEOs in that year, excluding severance
payments and other amounts paid to NEOs terminated in the applicable year in connection with their departures from the Company
|
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
53 | |
(in $) |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
New Gold Inc. |
100.0 |
87.7 |
22.3 |
24.4 |
59.4 |
40.1 |
% Change (year on year) |
|
-12.3 |
-74.6 |
9.5 |
143.5 |
-32.5 |
S&P/TSX Composite Index |
100.0 |
109.1 |
99.4 |
122.1 |
129.0 |
161.3 |
% Change (year on year) |
|
9.1 |
-8.9 |
22.9 |
5.6 |
25.1 |
S&P/TSX Global Gold Index |
100.0 |
101.4 |
97.9 |
138.3 |
168.8 |
159.8 |
% Change (year on year) |
|
1.4 |
-3.4 |
41.3 |
22.1 |
-5.3 |
During the past five years, commodity markets have experienced
considerable volatility. The gold price increased in 2017 due in part to increasing global uncertainty while economic recovery from the
global financial crisis had a positive effect on the S&P/TSX Composite Index. The changes in the gold price have had a corresponding
effect on the S&P/TSX Global Gold Index. The gold price was steady year-over-year in 2018, before rising meaningfully in 2019 and
2020 due largely to a negative economic outlook, interest rate decline and increased uncertainty around the short-term and long-term economic
impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The gold price declined in 2021 on the prospects of earlier and faster interest-rate increases than
previously expected. New Gold’s share price performance has also been impacted by changes in the gold price, but challenges in the
development and operation of Rainy River have had an additional negative effect on New Gold’s share price performance over the period
from 2017 to 2018 and in 2021.
New Gold’s total NEO compensation has followed a similar
trend to its TSR over the same period. As New Gold’s TSR declined significantly in 2017 and 2018 compared to the S&P/TSX Composite
Index and Global Gold Index, total NEO compensation declined significantly as well. There was also a significant change in the Board and
the Company’s executive team in this period. With respect to the executive team, Mr. Adams was appointed President and Chief Executive
Officer on September 12, 2018 and all other current executive officers have been appointed since that date. The number of officers was
also reduced during this period, from twelve officers in October 2018 to five currently. In 2019 and 2020, the new executive team led
improvements to New Gold’s operations and financial position and New Gold’s TSR improved significantly compared to the S&P/TSX
Composite Index and Global Gold Index. Operational challenges in 2021 led to a significant decrease in New Gold’s TSR and NEO compensation
compared to the prior year.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
54 | |
Summary
Compensation Table
The following table provides information regarding compensation
earned by each of the NEOs for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. Compensation is paid to the NEOs in Canadian dollars.
Name
and Principal
Position |
Year |
Salary
($) |
Share-
based
Awards
($)(4)(5) |
Option-
based
Awards
($)(5)(6) |
Non-equity
Incentive
Plan Compensation ($) |
All
Other
Compensation
($)(7) |
Total
Compensation
($) |
Annual
Incentive
Plans |
Long-Term
Incentive
Plans |
Renaud
Adams
President and Chief
Executive Officer |
2021 |
700,000 |
1,181,250 |
393,750 |
647,500 |
- |
13,915 |
2,936,415 |
2020 |
650,000 |
1,950,000
|
650,000
|
1,040,000
|
- |
13,250
|
4,303,250 |
2019 |
600,000 |
1,518,750 |
506,250
|
636,000
|
- |
13,250
|
3,274,250 |
Robert
Chausse
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial
Officer |
2021 |
460,000 |
569,250 |
189,750 |
339,480 |
- |
13,915 |
1,572,395 |
2020 |
446,250
|
753,047 |
251,016
|
518,096
|
- |
13,615
|
1,982,024
|
2019 |
425,000
|
621,563
|
207,188
|
403,538
|
- |
13,250 |
1,670,538 |
Eric
Vinet(1)
Senior Vice President,
Operations |
2021 |
415,000 |
350,156 |
116,719 |
226,590 |
- |
13,915 |
1,122,380 |
2020 |
363,454
|
457,582
|
152,527
|
266,705
|
- |
5,253
|
1,245,521
|
2019 |
334,848
|
406,500
|
185,500
|
185,300
|
- |
13,250 |
1,125,398 |
Ankit
Shah(2)
Vice President, Strategy
and Business
Development |
2021 |
350,000 |
426,563 |
142,188 |
210,000 |
- |
13,915 |
1,142,665 |
2020 |
300,000
|
337,500
|
112,500
|
202,500
|
- |
11,250
|
963,750
|
2019 |
246,917
|
191,700
|
63,900
|
133,193
|
- |
13,250 |
648,960 |
Sean
Keating(3)
Vice President, General
Counsel and Corporate
Secretary |
2021 |
330,000 |
297,000 |
99,000 |
156,750 |
|
13,915 |
896,665 |
2020 |
320,000 |
312,000 |
104,000 |
200,000 |
- |
13,615 |
949,615 |
2019 |
261,913 |
172,500 |
57,500 |
130,200
|
- |
13,250 |
635,363 |
| (1) | Mr. Vinet was appointed Vice President, Technical Services effective January 7, 2019. His 2019 full-year base salary was $340,000,
of which a pro-rated amount is provided in the table. Effective August 1, 2019, Mr. Vinet was temporarily appointed Vice President and
General Manager, Rainy River. In connection with his appointment, Mr. Vinet received 47,170 PSUs and 92,593 Options (which are shown in
the columns entitled “Share-based Awards” and “Option-based Awards” respectively, together with the 199,099 PSUs
and 184,167 Options he received in February 2019). Mr. Vinet was promoted to Senior Vice President, Operations effective October 19, 2020.
Mr. Vinet’s 2020 full-year base salary following his promotion is $415,000. |
| (2) | Mr. Shah was promoted to Vice President, Strategy and Business Development effective September 9, 2019. His 2019 full-year base
salary was $300,000. A pro-rated amount of this salary and the salary in his previous role is provided in the table for 2019. |
| (3) | Mr. Keating was promoted to Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary effective November 5, 2019. For 2019, the salary
indicated is a pro-rated amount of his current and prior role. Mr. Keating’s 2019 full-year base salary following his promotion
was $320,000. |
| (4) | The Share-based Awards include PSUs and RSUs granted to executives. PSUs and RSUs are valued by multiplying the number of PSUs/RSUs
by the five-day volume weighted average trading price on the TSX immediately preceding the date of grant. The following table shows the
specific prices for each grant of share-based compensation included in the column entitled “Share-based Awards”: |
Share-based Award |
Performance Year |
Grant Date |
Applicable
Share Price ($) |
PSUs and RSUs |
2021 |
4-Mar-2022 |
2.18 |
PSUs and RSUs |
2020 |
3-Mar-2021 |
2.06 |
PSUs and RSUs |
2019 |
3-Mar-2020 |
1.11 |
PSUs |
Retention Award (Vinet) |
11-Sep-2019 |
1.59 |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
55 | |
| (5) | Options, PSUs and RSUs are disclosed based on the performance year in respect of which the compensation was granted. |
| (6) | Option-based awards are valued using the Black-Scholes option valuation methodology. The key assumptions made in valuing the awards
are as follows: |
Grant Date |
Performance Year |
Exercise
Price |
Risk-free Rate
of Return |
Volatility
Estimate |
Expected
Life (years) |
Per Option
Value |
4-Mar-2022 |
2021 |
$2.18 |
1.56% |
65.5% |
4.14 |
$1.11 |
3-Mar-2021 |
2020 |
$2.06 |
0.55% |
66.8% |
4.19 |
$1.05 |
3-Mar-2020 |
2019 |
$1.20 |
1.11% |
64.7% |
4.16 |
$0.60 |
11-Sep-2019 |
Retention Award |
$1.59 |
1.49% |
64.7% |
4.14 |
$0.81 |
| (7) | Included in this column are Company-paid matching contributions to a Group RRSP in the amounts of: $13,250 in 2019 and 2020 and
$13,915 in 2021 for Mr. Adams; $13,250 in 2019, $13,615 in 2020 and $13,915 in 2021 for Mr. Chausse; $13,250 in 2019, $5,253 for 2020
and $13,915 in 2021 for Mr. Vinet; $13,250 in 2019, $11,250 in 2020 and $13,915 in 2021 for Mr. Shah; and $13,250 in 2019, $13,615 in
2020 and $13,915 in 2021 for Mr. Keating. |
The following table shows the total compensation for the Company’s
NEOs for the relevant year, as well as the total compensation for NEOs as a percentage of earnings from mine operations and as a percentage
of shareholder equity.
|
Total Compensation for
Named Executive Officers(1) |
Total Compensation for
Named Executive Officers(1)
as a Percentage of Operating
Margin(2) |
Total Compensation for
Named Executive Officers(1)
as a Percentage of
Shareholder Equity |
2021 |
$7,670,520 |
2.1% |
0.8% |
2020 |
$9,444,160 |
3.1% |
1.2% |
Change |
-$1,773,640 |
-1.0% |
-0.4% |
| (1) | The amounts for 2020 and 2021 reflect five NEOs (Messrs. Adams, Chausse, Vinet, Shah and Keating). |
| (2) | Operating Margin is calculated as the Company’s revenue less operating expenses for years ended December 31, 2021 and December
31, 2020. |
Incentive Plan Awards
The following table provides information regarding the incentive
plan awards for each NEO outstanding as at December 31, 2021.
Outstanding Share-Based
Awards and Option-Based Awards as at December 31, 2021
Name |
Grant Date(1)(2) |
Option-based Awards |
Share-based Awards |
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#) |
Option
Exercise
Price ($) |
Option
Expiration
Date |
Value of
Unexercised
In-the-money
Options ($)(3) |
Number of
Unvested
PSUs (#)(2) |
Number of
Unvested
RSUs (#) |
Market
Value of
Unvested
PSUs and
RSUs ($)(4) |
Renaud Adams |
26-Feb-2019(5) |
360,197 |
1.17 |
26-Feb-2024 |
259,341 |
- |
- |
- |
3-Mar-2020 |
843,750 |
1.20 |
3-Mar-2025 |
582,187 |
912,162 |
305,574 |
2,301,522 |
3-Mar-2021 |
619,048 |
2.06 |
3-Mar-2026 |
- |
631,068 |
315,534 |
1,789,078 |
Robert
Chausse |
26-Feb-2019(5) |
88,965 |
1.17 |
26-Feb-2024 |
64,054 |
- |
- |
- |
3-Mar-2020 |
345,313 |
1.20 |
3-Mar-2025 |
238,265 |
373,311 |
125,059 |
941,919 |
3-Mar-2021 |
239,063 |
2.06 |
3-Mar-2026 |
- |
243,704 |
121,852 |
690,901 |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
56 | |
Name |
Grant Date(1)(2) |
Option-based Awards |
Share-based Awards |
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#) |
Option
Exercise
Price ($) |
Option
Expiration
Date |
Value of
Unexercised
In-the-money
Options ($)(3) |
Number of
Unvested
PSUs (#)(2) |
Number of
Unvested
RSUs (#) |
Market
Value of
Unvested
PSUs and
RSUs ($)(4) |
Eric Vinet |
11-Sep-2019 |
92,593 |
1.59 |
11-Sep-2024 |
27,777 |
- |
- |
- |
3-Mar-2020 |
184,167 |
1.20 |
3-Mar-2025 |
127,075 |
199,099 |
66,699 |
502,357 |
3-Mar-2021 |
145,264 |
2.06 |
3-Mar-2026 |
- |
148,085 |
74,042 |
419,820 |
Ankit Shah |
18-Dec-2017 |
20,100 |
3.85 |
18-Dec-2022 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
26-Feb-2019 |
50,000 |
1.17 |
26-Feb-2024 |
36,000 |
- |
- |
- |
3-Mar-2020 |
106,500 |
1.20 |
3-Mar-2025 |
73,485 |
152,815 |
38,571 |
361,719 |
3-Mar-2021 |
107,143 |
2.06 |
3-Mar-2026 |
- |
109,223 |
54,612 |
309,648 |
Sean Keating |
18-Dec-2017 |
21,700 |
3.85 |
18-Dec-2022 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
26-Feb-2019 |
67,697 |
1.17 |
26-Feb-2024 |
48,741 |
- |
- |
- |
|
3-Mar-2020 |
95,833 |
1.20 |
3-Mar-2025 |
66,124 |
100,971 |
33,825 |
254,764 |
|
3-Mar-2021 |
99,048 |
2.06 |
3-Mar-2026 |
- |
103,604 |
51,802 |
293,717 |
| (1) | Option awards vest in three equal instalments on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant. |
| (2) | PSUs granted on February 26, 2019 have an entitlement date
of December 10, 2021. PSUs granted on March 3, 2020 have an entitlement date of January 1, 2023. PSUs granted on March 3, 2021 have an
entitlement date of January 1, 2024. |
| (3) | Calculated using the closing price of New Gold’s Shares on the TSX on December 31, 2021 of $1.89 and subtracting the exercise
price of in-the-money Options. The value shown in this column does not represent the actual value the individual could receive. The actual
gain, if any, on exercise will depend on the price of New Gold’s Shares on the date of exercise. |
| (4) | Calculated by multiplying the number of PSUs and RSUs by the closing price of New Gold’s Shares on the TSX on December 31,
2021 of $1.89. The actual number of shares granted upon vesting of the PSUs will depend on the Achieved Performance Ratio of the PSUs
at vesting. The actual value realized will also depend on the price of the Shares on the date of vesting. |
| (5) | Option and PSU awards were pro-rated due to start date being mid-year. |
Value Vested or Earned During the Year Ended
December 31, 2021
The following table provides information regarding the value
of incentive plan awards vested or earned during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Name |
Option-based Awards -
Value Vested
during the Year ($)(1) |
Share-based Awards -
Value Vested
during the Year ($)(2) |
Non-equity Incentive Plan
Compensation - Value Earned
during the Year ($)(3) |
Renaud Adams |
339,094 |
1,919,797 |
647,500 |
Robert Chausse |
121,632 |
785,694 |
339,480 |
Eric Vinet |
78,112 |
419,037 |
226,590 |
Ankit Shah |
44,131 |
304,040 |
210,000 |
Sean Keating |
46,370 |
218,051 |
156,750 |
| (1) | Calculated using the closing price of New Gold’s Shares on the TSX on the relevant vesting date and subtracting the exercise
price of in-the-money Options. |
| (2) | Amount shown represents the value of the PSUs that vested on December 30, 2021. The Achieved Performance Ratio for these PSUs was
90%. |
(3) Amounts shown represent annual short-term incentives
awarded for 2021 performance.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
57 | |
Options Exercised during the Year Ended
December 31, 2021
The following table provides details regarding Options exercised
and sold by the NEOs during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Name |
Number of Options
Exercised |
Option Expiry Date |
Option Exercise
Price |
Value Realized |
Renaud Adams |
Nil |
N/A |
N/A |
Nil |
Robert Chausse |
Nil |
N/A |
N/A |
Nil |
Eric Vinet |
Nil |
N/A |
N/A |
Nil |
Ankit Shah |
Nil |
N/A |
N/A |
Nil |
Sean Keating |
Nil |
N/A |
N/A |
Nil |
SECURITIES
AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2021
The following table provides details of compensation plans under
which equity securities of New Gold are authorized for issuance as at December 31, 2021.
Plan Category |
Number of Shares to be
Issued on
Exercise of
Options and Vesting of
PSUs(1)
|
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options ($)
|
Number of Shares Remaining
Available for Future Issuance
under Equity Compensation
Plans (excluding Shares
reflected in Column (a))(2)(3)(4) |
(a) |
(b) |
(c) |
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders |
9,602,311 |
$1.58 for Options(5)
N/A for PSUs |
22,752,140 |
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| (1) | Represents the aggregate number of Shares of New Gold reserved for issuance on exercise of outstanding Options and upon the vesting
of outstanding PSUs (assuming maximum Achieved Performance, being 5,755,219 Shares upon the exercise of outstanding Options and 3,885,141
Shares upon the vesting of PSUs). |
| (2) | Represents the aggregate number of Shares remaining available for future issuance under the Stock Option Plan and the Long Term
Incentive Plan as at December 31, 2021, after taking into account the number of Shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding Options
and the vesting of outstanding PSUs that can be satisfied in Shares (assuming maximum Achieved Performance, being 18,084,903 Shares under
the Stock Option Plan and 4,667,237 Shares under the Long Term Incentive Plan). |
| (3) | The aggregate number of Shares reserved for issuance in respect of all outstanding Options granted under the Stock Option Plan
and all other security-based compensation arrangements of the Company, other than the Long Term Incentive Plan, cannot exceed 3.5% of
the number of Shares issued and outstanding (on a non-diluted basis). |
| (4) | The aggregate number of Shares that can be reserved for issuance under the Long Term Incentive Plan in respect of all unvested
PSUs cannot exceed 1.25% of the number of Shares issued and outstanding (on a non-diluted basis). |
| (5) | The weighted average exercise price for all
equity compensation plans is the weighted average exercise price of the Options outstanding under the Stock Option Plan. There is no exercise
price associated with the PSUs outstanding under the Long Term Incentive Plan. |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
58 | |
Termination
and Change of Control Benefits
New Gold has entered into employment agreements with each
NEO that contain termination and change of control provisions. Those provisions, as in effect December 31, 2021, are discussed below.
Termination Without Cause
If an NEO’s employment is terminated without cause,
New Gold will pay any salary earned to the date of the termination of employment plus the greater of the pro-rated short-term incentive
at target or the pro-rated short-term incentive received in the previous year. In addition, each NEO, except for Mr. Adams, will receive
a severance payment of 12 months’ salary and short-term incentive plus one month’s salary and short-term incentive per year
of service to a maximum of 18 months’ salary and short-term incentive. Mr. Adams will receive a severance payment of 18 months’
salary and short-term incentive. For this purpose, short-term incentive is calculated as the greater of short-term incentive at target
or the short-term incentive received by the NEO in the previous year. As of December 31, 2021, any Options or RSUs which had not vested
at the time of termination will be cancelled and any Options that have vested will remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the expiry
of such Option, or (ii) the date that is twelve months from the date of such termination. In addition, the NEO will continue to be entitled
to participate, at the expense of New Gold, in New Gold’s health and medical plans (or receive a payment in lieu of continued benefits
equal to 15% of the amount of the salary severance set out above) until the earlier of obtaining alternate coverage under the terms of
any new employment or the period used to determine the short-term incentive severance payment above. There would be a cash payment for
unvested PSUs based on a pro-rata calculation described in “Equity Compensation Plans - Cessation or Acceleration of Share Units”
on page 97.
Termination Following a Change of Control
NEO change of control provisions follow a double-trigger approach.
If there is (1) a Change of Control of New Gold (as defined below) and (2) within 12 months following such Change of Control (i) New Gold
gives notice of its intention to terminate the NEO’s employment for any reason other than just cause, or (ii) a Triggering Event
(as defined below) occurs and the NEO elects to terminate his or her employment, New Gold will pay any salary earned to the date of the
termination of employment plus the greater of the pro-rated short-term incentive at target or the pro-rated short-term incentive received
in the previous year. In addition, the NEO will receive a severance payment of 24 months’ salary plus the greater of two times his
or her short-term incentive at target or two times the short-term incentive received in the previous year. As of December 31, 2021, any
Options that had not vested at the time of termination would vest immediately and all vested Options will remain exercisable until their
expiry. All unvested RSUs and PSUs would vest immediately, with the entitlement date occurring on the date of such Triggering Event. In
addition, the NEO will continue to be entitled to participate, at the expense of New Gold, in New Gold’s health and medical plans
(or receive a payment in lieu of continued benefits equal to 15% of two years’ salary) until the earlier of obtaining alternate
coverage under the terms of any new employment or the second anniversary of the termination date.
A “Change of Control” is generally defined in
each NEO’s employment agreement as (a) New Gold is not the surviving entity in a merger, amalgamation or other reorganization (or
survives only as a subsidiary of an entity other than a previously wholly owned subsidiary of New Gold); (b) New Gold sells, leases or
exchanges greater than 50% of its assets to any other person or entity (other than an affiliate of New Gold); (c) a resolution is adopted
to wind up, dissolve or liquidate New Gold; (d) an acquirer acquires 40% or more of the voting securities of New Gold; (e) as a result
of or in connection with: (i) the contested election of directors, or (ii) a transaction referred to in (a) above, the nominees named
in the most recent management information circular of New Gold for election to the Board will not constitute a majority of the Board;
or (f) the Board adopts a resolution to the effect that a Change of Control as defined in the employment agreements has occurred or is
imminent.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
59 | |
A “Triggering Event” includes (a) a material adverse
change in any of the officer’s duties, powers, rights, discretion, prestige, salary, benefits or perquisites, as they exist, and
with respect to financial entitlements, the conditions under and manner in which they were payable, immediately before a Change of Control;
(b) a diminution of title as it exists immediately before a Change of Control; (c) a change in the person or body to whom the officer
reports, except if such person or body is of equivalent rank or stature or such change is as a result of the resignation or removal of
such person or the persons comprising such body, provided this will not include a change resulting from a promotion in the normal course
of business; (d) a change in the location at which the officer is regularly required to carry out the terms of his or her employment,
which is of a distance greater than 50 kilometres from the city of his or her normal work location; or (e) a significant increase in the
amount of travel the officer is required to conduct on behalf of New Gold.
Estimated Incremental Payment on Termination
Without Cause or Termination Following a Change of Control
The following tables detail the estimated incremental payments
from New Gold to each of the NEOs on termination without cause or a Change of Control (with termination of employment), assuming the termination
of employment occurred on December 31, 2021.
Termination of Employment Without Cause
Name |
Base Salary
Value ($) |
Short-Term
Incentive
Value ($) |
Benefits
Value ($) |
Value of Unvested
Options, RSUs and
PSUs Vested ($)(1) |
Total Estimated
Incremental
Payment ($)(2) |
Renaud Adams |
1,050,000 |
1,312,500 |
157,500 |
1,450,961 |
3,970,961 |
Robert Chausse |
575,000 |
517,500 |
86,250 |
589,337 |
1,768,087 |
Eric Vinet |
518,750 |
363,125 |
77,813 |
319,885 |
1,279,573 |
Ankit Shah |
525,000 |
315,000 |
78,750 |
192,241 |
1,110,991 |
Sean Keating |
495,000 |
247,500 |
74,250 |
170,997 |
987,747 |
Total |
3,163,750 |
2,755,625 |
474,563 |
2,723,421 |
9,117,359 |
| (1) | Unvested
Options and RSUs are cancelled upon termination of employment. For unvested PSUs, a cash
payment was calculated on a pro-rata basis using the methodology described in “Equity
Compensation Plans - Cessation or Acceleration of Share Units” on page 97
to calculate the Achieved Performance Ratio and multiplying
by the closing price of New Gold’s shares on the TSX on December 31, 2021 of $1.89. |
| (2) | These amounts do not include any salary payable or pro-rata short-term incentive payable to the date of termination of employment.
Payment of these amounts may be contingent on signing a release. |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
60 | |
Termination
of Employment Following Change of Control
Name |
Base Salary
Value ($) |
Short-Term
Incentive
Value ($) |
Benefits
Value ($) |
Value of
Unvested
Options,
RSUs and
PSUs
Vested($)(1)(2) |
Total Estimated
Incremental
Payment ($)(2)(3) |
Renaud Adams |
1,400,000 |
1,750,000 |
210,000 |
4,862,042 |
8,222,042 |
Robert Chausse |
920,000 |
828,000 |
138,000 |
1,935,751 |
3,821,751 |
Eric Vinet |
830,000 |
581,000 |
124,500 |
1,080,072 |
2,615,572 |
Ankit Shah |
700,000 |
420,000 |
105,000 |
696,094 |
1,921,094 |
Sean Keating |
660,000 |
330,000 |
99,000 |
640,461 |
1,729,461 |
Total: |
4,510,000 |
3,909,000 |
676,500 |
9,214,421 |
18,309,921 |
| (1) | Options are calculated by subtracting the exercise price of unvested in-the-money Options that would have vested on termination
of employment from the closing price of New Gold’s Shares on the TSX on December 31, 2021 of $1.89. PSUs are calculated by multiplying
the number of PSUs that would have vested on termination of employment (calculated using actual performance for completed performance
periods and assuming maximum performance of 150% for future performance periods) by the closing price of New Gold’s Shares on the
TSX on December 31, 2021 of $1.89. RSUs are calculated by multiplying the number of RSUs that would have vested on termination of employment
by the closing price of New Gold’s Shares on the TSX on December 31, 2021 of $1.89. |
| (2) | Due to rounding, some totals may not equal the sum of the separate figures. |
| (3) | These amounts do not include any salary payable or pro-rata short-term incentive payable to the date of termination of employment.
Payment of these amounts may be contingent on signing a release. |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
61 | |
STATEMENT
OF DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Non-executive directors receive a retainer for acting as a
director. Executives of New Gold that serve as directors do not receive any additional compensation for acting as directors. New Gold
does not pay per-meeting fees. All reasonable expenses incurred by a director in attending meetings of the Board, committee meetings
or shareholder meetings, together with all expenses properly and reasonably incurred by any director in the conduct of New Gold’s
business or in the discharge of his or her duties as a director, are paid by New Gold.
Each year the CGNC reviews the compensation provided to non-executive
directors and recommends compensation for the ensuing year based on, among other things, a review of director compensation at Peer Group
companies and other market participants, overall corporate performance and other corporate imperatives, and general trends in director
compensation. The Board reviews the CGNC’s recommendation regarding non-executive director compensation and makes a final determination.
For 2021, the Board approved the non-executive director compensation
set out in the table below. The non-executive director basic annual retainer was increased from $175,000 to $200,000 and the additional
retainer of the Chair of the Board increased from $120,000 to $140,000. The additional annual retainers of the committee chairs were unchanged.
Directors are required to take 60% of the basic retainer in DSUs and the balance (the “cash-eligible portion”) in either
cash or additional DSUs at the election of the director. Additional annual retainers for being Chair of the Board or for being chair of
a committee may be paid either in cash or DSUs, at the election of the director.
|
Total |
Required in
DSUs |
Cash Eligible
or DSUs |
Basic annual retainer |
$200,000 |
$120,000 |
$80,000 |
Additional annual retainer for Chair of the Board |
$140,000 |
- |
$140,000 |
Additional annual retainers for committee chairs
Audit Committee
Human Resources and Compensation Committee
Technical and Sustainability Committee
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee |
$35,000
$25,000
$25,000
$15,000 |
-
-
-
- |
$35,000
$25,000
$25,000
$15,000 |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
62 | |
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table provides information regarding compensation
paid to New Gold’s non-executive directors during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Name |
Annual
Retainer -
Cash ($)(1) |
Annual Retainer -
Share-based Awards
($)(2) |
Option-based
Awards ($) |
All Other
Compensation ($) |
Total ($) |
Geoff Chater(3) |
60,000 |
120,000 |
- |
- |
180,000 |
Nick Chirekos(4) |
88,750 |
120,000 |
- |
- |
208,750 |
Gillian Davidson(5) |
78,750 |
120,000 |
- |
- |
198,750 |
Jim Gowans(6) |
57,500 |
150,000 |
- |
- |
207,500 |
Tom McCulley(7) |
30,000 |
160,000 |
- |
- |
190,000 |
Peggy Mulligan(8) |
60,000 |
145,000 |
- |
- |
205,000 |
Ian Pearce(9) |
131,500 |
204,000 |
- |
- |
335,500 |
Marilyn Schonberner(10) |
112,500 |
120,000 |
- |
- |
232,500 |
Total: |
559,000 |
1,019,000 |
- |
- |
1,578,000 |
| (1) | Any cash compensation earned by directors is paid quarterly. Changes to director compensation occur after the annual meeting of
shareholders. As a result, the first quarterly payment to directors in a fiscal year is sometimes different from the quarterly payments
received by directors in the second, third and fourth quarters. In addition, directors are permitted to elect to change the apportionment
of their compensation between DSUs and cash after the annual meeting of shareholders (subject to the requirement to take at least 60%
of their basic retainer in DSUs), which may result in additional discrepancies between cash compensation in the first quarter relative
to each subsequent quarter of a fiscal year. |
| (2) | DSU portion of retainer paid following the election of directors at the annual meeting of shareholders. Calculated by multiplying
the number of DSUs by the volume weighted average price of Shares on the TSX for the five trading days prior to the grant date (May 14,
2021), which was $2.19. |
| (3) | Mr. Chater received 54,794 DSUs, 60% of the basic retainer. Mr. Chater was appointed to the Board at the annual meeting of shareholders.
As a result, Mr. Chater did not receive a retainer payment in the first quarter. Mr. Chater received the balance of his retainer in the
form of cash payments of $20,000 for each of the quarters following his appointment to the Board. |
| (4) | Mr. Chirekos received 54,794 DSUs, 60% of the basic retainer, and received the balance of his retainer in the form of cash payments
of $17,500 in the first quarter and $23,750 for each of the following quarters. |
| (5) | Dr. Davidson received 54,794 DSUs, 60% of the basic retainer. Dr. Davidson received the balance of her retainer in the form of
cash payments of $26,250 in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters. |
| (6) | Mr. Gowans received 68,493 DSUs, 75% of the basic retainer, and received the balance of his retainer in the form of cash payments
of $20,000 in the first quarter and $12,500 for each of the following quarters. |
| (7) | Mr. McCulley received 73,059 DSUs, 80% of the basic retainer. Mr. McCulley was appointed to the Board at the annual meeting of
shareholders. As a result, Mr. McCulley did not receive a retainer payment in the first quarter. Mr. McCulley received the balance of
his retainer in the form of cash payments of $10,000 for each of the quarters following his appointment to the Board. |
| (8) | Ms. Mulligan received 66,210 DSUs, 60% of the basic retainer plus 100% of her additional retainer for serving as Chair of the HRCC
and received the balance of her retainer in the form of cash payments of $20,000 for each of the following quarters. |
| (9) | Mr. Pearce received 93,150 DSUs, 60% of the basic retainer plus 60% of his additional retainer for serving as Chair of the Board,
and received the balance of his retainer in the form of cash payments of $29,500 for the first quarter and $34,000 for each of the following
quarters. |
| (10) | Ms. Schonberner received 54,794 DSUs, 60% of the basic retainer and received the balance of her retainer in the form of cash payments
of $26,500 for the first quarter and $28,750 for the following quarters. |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
63 | |
Director Equity Ownership Guidelines
The Company’s Equity Ownership Guidelines are applicable
to all directors. The Equity Ownership Guidelines align the interests of directors with those of shareholders by mandating a minimum value
of New Gold equity that directors must hold as follows:
| • | Non-executive
directors: 5x the cash eligible portion of the basic retainer paid for acting as a non-executive
director. |
| • | Chair
of Board: 5x the cash eligible portion of the basic retainer plus 5x the additional retainer
as Chair. |
For purposes of measuring compliance with the Equity Ownership
Guidelines, Shares are valued at the greater of the Market Price on the TSX as of the measurement date (defined as the volume weighted
average price of the five days prior to the date of measurement) and the purchase price paid for the Shares, and DSUs are valued at the
greater of the Market Price on the measurement date and the closing price on the date of grant.
Directors have three years from the date on which they became
a director to satisfy these guidelines. Other than Mr. Chater and Mr. McCulley who have until May 4, 2024 to meet the requirements of
the Equity Ownership Guidelines, all of the returning directors meet the requirement. The number and value of Shares and DSUs held by
directors compared to the equity ownership requirement as measured at December 31, 2021 is set out below.
Name |
Shares
Held |
DSUs
Held |
Total
Value of
Shares and
DSUs |
Equity
Ownership Requirement |
Date
to Meet |
Geoff
Chater |
- |
54,794
|
$128,218 |
$400,000 |
May 4,
2024 |
Nick
Chirekos |
- |
230,233 |
$460,891 |
- |
Meets requirement |
Gillian
Davidson |
- |
393,222 |
$804,658 |
- |
Meets requirement |
Jim
Gowans |
30,000 |
360,875 |
$771,584 |
- |
Meets requirement |
Tom
McCulley |
- |
73,059 |
$170,958 |
$400,000 |
May 4,
2024 |
Peggy
Mulligan |
- |
389,170 |
$802,041 |
- |
Meets requirement |
Ian
Pearce |
27,200 |
586,177 |
$1,481,641 |
$1,100,100 |
Meets requirement |
Marilyn
Schonberner |
- |
379,055 |
$736,152 |
$400,000 |
Meets
requirement |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
64 | |
Incentive Plan Awards
The following table provides information regarding the option-based
and share-based awards for each non-executive director outstanding as at December 31, 2021.
Outstanding Share-Based
Awards and Option-Based Awards as at December 31, 2021
Name |
Grant Date |
Option-based Awards |
Share-based Awards |
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#) |
Option
Exercise
Price
(C$) |
Option
Expiration
Date |
Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Options ($)(1) |
Number of
DSUs (#) |
Market
Value of
DSUs
($)(2) |
Geoff Chater |
May 17, 2021 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
54,794 |
103,561 |
Nick Chirekos |
June 7, 2019 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
107,698 |
203,549 |
|
June 23, 2020 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
67,741 |
128,030 |
|
May 17, 2021 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
54,794 |
103,561 |
Gillian |
May 1, 2018 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
29,070 |
54,942 |
Davidson |
May 8, 2019 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
180,326 |
340,816 |
|
June 23, 2020 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
129,032 |
243,870 |
|
May 17, 2021 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
54,794 |
103,561 |
Jim |
July 31, 2018 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
41,274 |
78,008 |
Gowans |
October 30, 2018 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
4,633 |
8,756 |
|
May 8, 2019 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
169,056 |
319,516 |
|
June 23, 2020 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
77,419 |
146,322 |
|
May 17, 2021 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
68,493 |
129,452 |
Tom McCulley |
May 17, 2021 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
73,059 |
138,082 |
Peggy |
May 1, 2018 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
29,070 |
54,942 |
Mulligan |
May 8, 2019 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
171,310 |
323,776 |
|
June 23, 2020 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
122,580 |
231,676 |
|
May 17, 2021 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
66,210 |
125,137 |
Ian |
May 10, 2016 |
|
|
|
- |
13,369 |
25,267 |
Pearce |
May 16, 2017 |
68,026(3) |
3.97 |
May 16, 2022 |
- |
50,481 |
95,409 |
|
May 1, 2018 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
49,003 |
92,616 |
|
May 8, 2019 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
265,981 |
502,704 |
|
June 23, 2020 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
114,193 |
215,825 |
|
May 17, 2021 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
93,150 |
176,054 |
Marilyn |
August 9, 2017 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
33,954 |
64,173 |
Schonberner |
May 1, 2018 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
33,223 |
62,791 |
|
May 8, 2019 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
189,343 |
357,858 |
|
June 23, 2020 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
67,741 |
128,030 |
|
May 17, 2021 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
54,794 |
103,561 |
| (1) | Calculated using the closing price of New Gold’s Shares on the TSX on December 31, 2021 of $1.89 and subtracting the exercise
price of in-the-money Options. The actual gain, if any, on exercise will depend on the price of New Gold’s Shares on the date of
exercise. |
| (2) | Calculated by multiplying the number of DSUs by the closing price of New Gold’s Shares on the TSX on December 31, 2021 of
$1.89. The actual value realized will depend on the price of Shares when the director elects to redeem his or her DSUs after the director
leaves the Board. |
| (3) | Option awards vest in three equal instalments on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant and expire
on the fifth anniversary of the date of grant. |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
65 | |
Of the Options granted to non-executive directors, 68,026
Options remained outstanding as at December 31, 2021, which equates to less than 0.01% of the Company’s issued and outstanding Shares
as at such date. Options were removed from the regular director retainer beginning in 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the
Company did not grant any Options to the non-executive directors.
Value Vested during the Year Ended December
31, 2021
The following table provides information regarding the value
of incentive plan awards vested or earned for each non-executive director during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Name |
Option-based Awards -
Value Vested
during the Year ($) |
Share-based Awards - Value Vested
during the Year ($)(1) |
Geoff Chater |
- |
$120,000 |
Nick Chirekos |
- |
$120,000 |
Gillian Davidson |
- |
$120,000 |
Jim Gowans |
- |
$150,000 |
Tom McCulley |
- |
$160,000 |
Peggy Mulligan |
- |
$145,000 |
Ian Pearce |
- |
$204,000 |
Marilyn Schonberner |
- |
$120,000 |
| (1) | Calculated by multiplying the number of DSUs by the volume weighted average price of Shares on the
TSX for the five trading days prior to the grant date (May 14, 2021), which was $2.19. |
Options Exercised during the Year Ended
December 31, 2021
There were no Options exercised by non-executive directors
during 2021.
Deferred Share Unit Plan
The Company’s deferred share unit plan (“DSU
Plan”) is intended to strengthen the alignment of interests between its non-employee directors and shareholders by linking a
portion of annual director compensation to the future value of New Gold’s Shares. It is administered by the CGNC.
A DSU is a notional share-based unit that has the same value
as one Share and is subject to adjustment for normal anti-dilution events, but which is not paid out until the recipient ceases to be
a director. Generally, a director must receive at least 60% of his or her retainer in the form of DSUs. The number of DSUs granted to
a director is determined by dividing the amount of compensation to be taken as DSUs by the Market Price on the day of grant, being the
volume weighted average price on the TSX of the five business days immediately preceding the date of grant. If a director leaves the Board
prior to the next annual meeting of shareholders for any reason other than due to death, disability or dismissal following a Change of
Control, then the DSUs for that year redeemable upon leaving the Board will be reduced pro rata to reflect the length of time served.
However, in the event of death, disability or dismissal following a Change of Control, no such pro rata reduction will occur.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
66 | |
During the year ended December 31, 2021, an aggregate of 520,088
DSUs were granted to directors. No DSUs were redeemed. As at March 14, 2022, there are an aggregate of 2,466,585 DSUs outstanding under
the DSU Plan.
Loans to Directors
The Company does not make personal loans or extensions of
credit to its directors or NEOs. There are no loans outstanding from the Company to any of its directors or NEOs.
Sustainability
and esg
New Gold’s Sustainability Strategy is comprised of three
anchors: Environment, Indigenous Rights and Community Engagement, and under such anchors, New Gold has four sustainability focus areas:
Indigenous Peoples, Tailings Management, Water and Climate. In 2021, New Gold continued to adapt its sustainability efforts to align with
the most pressing environmental, social and governance topics facing the mining industry. In 2021, New Gold publicly released its 2030
Sustainability Strategy outlining the goals and objectives for the four focus areas. In addition to its four focus areas, the Company
also continues to prioritize the health, safety and the well-being of its people. The protection of its people is central to New Gold’s
success as it believes people are its greatest asset. New Gold is committed to providing training, opportunities and progression paths
for its teams, and New Gold actively seeks to ensure it promotes diversity within its teams at all levels of the organization.
Environment
New Gold’s key environmental areas of focus are climate
action, water management and tailings management. In 2021, New Gold completed a Task Force for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”)
gap and readiness assessment to support the development of a climate action strategy with a target of a 30% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope
2 GHG emissions by 2030, using 2020 GHG emissions as a baseline. The Company intends to release its first TCFD report in 2022, which will
outline the four areas of New Gold’s climate approach - strategy, risk, governance and metrics and targets. New Afton and Rainy
River continue to assess opportunities to reduce GHG emissions, mitigate climate risks and put climate adaptation measures in place.
The Company’s second priority is water management, including
its water baselines, footprint and governance structure. Water is a key resource in New Gold’s operations. With the impact of climate
change on water levels and precipitation, without adequate water management and stewardship, New Gold could encounter difficulties dealing
with too much or too little water at its sites. As a result, New Gold is continuing to focus on both management and stewardship practices
to ensure it is recycling and reusing as much water as possible and drawing upon as little as possible.
New Gold’s tailings management practices follow the
Mining Association of Canada’s TSM Tailings Management Protocol and also adhere to those of the Canadian Dam Association, effectively
bringing the Company in line in large part with the Global Tailings Standard.
In 2021, in support of its environmental initiatives:
| • | New
Afton was able to reduce the equivalent of over 3,400 kg CO2e through the installation
of six Level 2 Battery Electric Vehicles. |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
67 | |
| • | Rainy
River launched an employee-driven energy management slogan “Digging into a More Efficient
Tomorrow” and campaign “SCREECH” (Stewards to our Environment, Carbon Reductions,
Renewable Rules, Energy Intensity, Efficiencies, Conservation, Health and Safety) to look
at ways to reduce GHG emissions caused by diesel consumption and increase awareness of impacts
on the environment. |
| • | New
Afton’s Fire and Mine Rescue team assisted with support on several fires in the surrounding
area during another highly active wildfire season, including providing assistance to British
Columbia Wildfire fire management programs in the region, helping support fire management
in the Kamloops area and responding to several fires including Lytton Creek, Duffy Lake,
Red Lake, Sicamous and Logan Lake. |
| • | CSP decommissioned cyanide facilities according to the International Cyanide Management Code and was declared a cyanide-free site
by the International Cyanide Management Institution. |
| • | New Gold’s Independent Tailings Review Board, which is comprised of four independent experts and provides input with respect
to tailings management at New Gold’s operations and projects, met twice to review tailings management practices at both the New
Afton Mine and the Rainy River Mine. |
| • | New Gold continued to recycle 100% of its water used for ore processing at Rainy River for the third year in a row. |
Social
The Company’s social priorities continue to be Indigenous
inclusion, community engagement, health and safety, diversity, inclusion and equity and supply chain practices. Supporting greater Indigenous
inclusion through procurement, engagement and employment and training is key to the success of New Gold’s operations. New Gold began
tracking impact benefit agreement (“IBA”) implementation on a quarterly basis to provide a real time overview of opportunities
to go above and beyond IBA commitments. Throughout COVID-19, engagement practices changed as face-to-face meetings were difficult and/or
restricted. New Gold’s teams continued to find new ways to communicate and engage with Indigenous partners, which has allowed relationships
to be strengthened over the last year. As part of improving Indigenous inclusion in procurement practices, a review of standards and policies
was done at Rainy River and New Afton to review barriers for Indigenous businesses, and to ensure contractors are looking for greater
opportunities to partner with Indigenous communities when placing bids.
As part of the Company’s community engagement efforts,
New Gold invests in surrounding communities through its Community Investment Fund, which funds the most crucial needs, as determined by
surrounding communities. New Gold aligns its community investments to the Sustainability Strategy to support objectives and well-being
of the surrounding communities. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, New Gold’s community investments have increased to provide more support
to communities and institutions in need of additional funding to support COVID-19 related events. Throughout 2020 and 2021, a key focus
has been providing COVID-19 related support to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities through New Gold’s Pandemic Response
and Business Plan Committee and communication plans to ensure the highest level of safety and well-being for all stakeholders. As part
of the Company’s ongoing support to domestic and international COVID-19 relief, New Gold supported UNICEF in its #Sharethehealth
initiative and supported the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to the most vulnerable people in Canada and abroad.
New Gold is committed to ensuring that its employees work
and return home to their families safely every day. The Company takes a holistic approach to health and safety, understanding the importance
of both occupational health and mental health and wellness for all employees and contractors. The Company’s results for TRIFR and
certain other metrics for 2021 are in the table below. The Company tracks and reports these metrics as indicators of the effectiveness
of its health and safety initiatives. The Company’s health and safety teams continually develop, review and maintain safety procedures
that align with best practices in the industry in pursuit of zero harm.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
68 | |
Diversity, inclusion and equity has become a key area of focus
at all of New Gold operations. New Gold has partnered with International Women in Mining to offer mentorship opportunities to female staff
across the organization, and focuses on hiring, training and retaining Indigenous staff at both New Afton and Rainy River. New Gold recognizes
that even with the creation of an equitable and inclusive workplace, racism continues to exist, and the Company is committed to identifying,
preventing and confronting racism in all aspects of employment, including hiring, retention, performance management and the promotion
of all staff. New Gold implemented a formal Anti-Racism Policy in 2021 and, as part of its annual Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
training, required each employee to review the policy as well as confirm they had read, understood and comply with the policy. The Anti-Racism
Policy seeks to eliminate structural, systemic, institutional and personal mistreatment of people based on their racialized status by
providing a mechanism to identify and address incidents of racism.
In 2021, in support of its social initiatives:
| • | Approximately 25% of Rainy River employees and 21% of New Afton employees identify as Indigenous. |
| • | New Afton signed a new Cooperation Agreement with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc and the Skeetchestn Indian Band (collectively,
the “SSN”), replacing the existing Participation Agreement and strengthening the relationship between the New Afton
team and SSN members. A signing ceremony was conducted in Kamloops with New Gold's President and CEO signing on behalf of the Company. |
| • | Rainy River hosted a virtual four-part cultural awareness series for employees on Seven Generation and Seven Grandfather Teachings,
which was facilitated by a leading voice in native language revitalization and spiritual teachings. |
| • | The CSP Foundation achieved charitable status in Mexico to become a self-sustaining entity for the future benefit of the town of Cerro
San Pedro and surrounding communities with its two focus areas of supporting local entrepreneurship and environmental education. |
| • | New Gold formed a new Diversity and Inclusion Committee, which is comprised of 14 representatives from the corporate head office,
Rainy River Mine and New Afton Mine and which aims to identify areas of improvement in diversity and inclusion for the Company, as well
as launched a diversity, equity and inclusion survey to obtain employee insights. |
| • | The Company introduced the New Gold Academy, an internal learning and development program for employees, offering sessions and workshops
on diversity in the workplace, driving operational excellence and health and well-being. |
| • | CSP celebrated the achievement of more than one full year without injury accidents. |
| • | With staff events still on hold due to COVID-19, New Afton’s Social Committee re-launched its employee voucher program providing
vouchers to employees to enjoy with their families or core group and supporting six local businesses, three of which were new to the program. |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
69 | |
Longest Lost Time Injury-Free Period in 2021(1) |
New Afton |
435,851 |
Rainy River |
1,152,676 |
Cerro San Pedro |
444,344 |
(1) In number of hours |
|
2021 Results |
New Afton |
Rainy River |
Cerro San Pedro |
New Gold Consolidated |
TRIFR |
2.36 |
1.61 |
0 |
1.73 |
Total Recordable Injury |
20 |
19 |
0 |
39 |
Restricted Duty Injury |
6 |
10 |
0 |
16 |
Medical Aid Injury |
8 |
8 |
0 |
16 |
First Aid Injury |
100 |
102 |
0 |
202 |
Total Hours Worked |
1,696,131 |
2,357,897 |
444,344 |
4,498,372 |
|
Governance
The Technical and Sustainability Committee is responsible
for overseeing the Company’s Sustainability Strategy and objectives, including health, safety, the environment and relations with
communities and Indigenous peoples. The Company has also adopted a formal Sustainability and Safety Policy, which sets out its key goals
and commitments in relation to health, safety and sustainability.
The Company has also established certain site-specific governance
measures such as the Independent Tailings Review Board that reviews the tailings management practices of the New Afton Mine and Rainy
River Mine. All sites have dedicated community relations teams to regularly interface with nearby communities to identify impacts, risks
and opportunities for local communities and Indigenous peoples. Results of this work are also shared with the Technical and Sustainability
Committee. In 2021, New Gold reviewed its ERM program to ensure inclusion of sustainability risks (for more information on New Gold ERM
program see “Risk Management and Oversight” on page 87). Moreover, governance structures for sustainability related
topics were reviewed in 2021 to more clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the Technical and Sustainability Committee, the
corporate office and mine sites.
The Company reports against the Sustainability Accounting
Standards Board (“SASB”), the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (“UN SDGs”), and the
Local Procurement Reporting Mechanism (“LPRM”). In 2022, the Company intends to also report against the Global Reporting
Initiative (“GRI”) and the TCFD described above.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
70 | |
In 2021, in support of its governance initiatives:
| • | New
Gold identified eight UN SDGs and 11 supporting targets that it currently addresses at its
operations. |
| • | New
Gold has included four TSM protocols related to GHG emissions, water stewardship and Indigenous
and community relations in the 2021 Company Scorecard. |
| • | Among
others, New Gold is a member of the Ontario Mining Association; Mining Association of British
Columbia; Canadian Industry Partnership for Energy Conservation; Canadian Dam Association;
and the Mining Association of Canada. |
| • | New
Gold undertook its annual review and training of its Code of Conduct with all employees,
which also trains and raises awareness of other New Gold policies such as the Respectful
Workplace Policy, Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy, Whistleblower Policy and Human
Rights Policy. |
More information on New Gold’s approach to sustainability
and ESG can be found at sustainability.newgold.com and in New Gold’s annual Sustainability Report.
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
New Gold has designed and implemented its corporate governance
structure with a view to ensuring that its business and affairs are managed and overseen in furtherance of its mission - to be Canada’s
leading intermediate gold producer, driving responsible and profitable mining in a way that creates sustainable enduring value for New
Gold’s shareholders, stakeholders and the environment. National Policy 58-201 - Corporate Governance Guidelines (the “Corporate
Governance Guidelines”) and National Instrument 58-101 - Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices, along with other
applicable regulatory requirements, form the regulatory framework for New Gold’s corporate governance practices. As a result, New
Gold’s corporate governance practices have been, and continue to be, in compliance with applicable Canadian and United States regulatory
requirements. New Gold also monitors developments and evolving best practices in Canada and the United States to ensure that its governance
policies and practices continue to evolve so as to best serve the Company’s mission.
As the overall steward for New Gold’s business, the
Board has adopted a formal written mandate (the “Board Mandate”) which sets out its goals, duties and responsibilities.
The Board fulfills the Board Mandate and its duties to the Company directly and through its committees at regularly scheduled meetings
and as required. Frequency of meetings may be increased and the nature of the agenda items may be changed depending on the state of New
Gold’s affairs and in light of opportunities or risks which New Gold faces. The directors are kept informed of New Gold’s
operations at these meetings, as well as through reports and discussions with management on matters within their particular areas of expertise.
The CGNC, which is comprised entirely of independent directors,
is responsible for assessing the Board’s performance in fulfilling the Board Mandate. Specifically, the CGNC reviews with the Board,
on a regular basis and at least annually, the role of the Board, the Board Mandate, the charters of each of the committees of the Board
and the methods and processes by which the Board fulfills its duties and responsibilities. When appropriate, the Board Mandate and committee
charters are updated to reflect evolving governance practices.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
71 | |
A copy of the Board Mandate is attached as Schedule B to this
Circular. Each of the Board’s standing committees has adopted a formal written charter, copies of which are available on New Gold’s
website at www.newgold.com.
The following is a description of New Gold’s corporate
governance practices as reported by the CGNC and approved by the Board.
Board
of Directors
Composition of the Board of Directors
Independence of the Board
The Board, in consultation with the CGNC, annually reviews the relationship
between each director and the Company in order to determine the independence of each director (within the meaning of the Corporate Governance
Guidelines). With the assistance of the CGNC, the Board has considered the relationship between the Company and each of the Nominees and
has determined that eight of the nine Nominees are independent for the purposes of the Corporate Governance Guidelines.
Director / Nominee |
Relationship |
Reason for Non-Independent Status |
Renaud Adams |
Non-Independent |
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company |
Geoff Chater |
Independent |
N/A - no material relationship |
Nick Chirekos |
Independent |
N/A - no material relationship |
Gillian Davidson |
Independent |
N/A - no material relationship |
Jim Gowans |
Independent |
N/A - no material relationship |
Tom McCulley |
Independent |
N/A - no material relationship |
Peggy Mulligan |
Independent |
N/A - no material relationship |
Ian Pearce |
Independent |
N/A - no material relationship |
Marilyn Schonberner |
Independent |
N/A - no material relationship |
A majority of the Board is comprised of independent directors,
and each member of the Board’s committees is independent. In addition, each committee charter provides for access to information
respecting the Company and access to the Company’s officers, employees, consultants, external auditors and legal counsel. The committee
charters also entitle each committee to engage separate independent counsel and advisors at the expense of the Company, as appropriate.
The Board Mandate provides for in camera sessions of
the independent directors at each Board meeting (including special meetings). During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Board held
in camera sessions of the independent directors without the presence of management at each of its meetings. In addition, during
the year ended December 31, 2021, all of the committees held in camera sessions of the independent committee members without the
presence of management at each meeting.
To ensure that the Board as a whole remains appropriately
independent of management, the Board has also implemented the following safeguards:
| (a) | the Chair of the Board or any two independent directors may call a Board meeting; |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
72 | |
| (b) | the compensation of the President and Chief Executive Officer is considered in his absence by the HRCC; and |
| (c) | in addition to the standing committees of the Board, ad hoc committees are appointed from time to time, when appropriate. |
Areas of Expertise
The Nominees possess a broad range of skills, experience and
the expertise necessary to carry out the Board Mandate and meet the needs of the Company. The Board believes that the following skills
are of particular importance in addressing the challenges, risks and opportunities facing the Company:
| (a) | mining industry / operations and/or geology; |
| (b) | capital markets/ finance and/or accounting; |
| (c) | public company boards and/or corporate governance; |
| (d) | Health and Safety (“HS”) / sustainability and/or risk management; |
| (f) | strategic planning and/or mergers and acquisitions; |
| (g) | government relations and/or legal matters; and |
| (h) | capital project management. |
The following table shows the areas of experience and expertise
that each of the Nominees brings to the Board:
Director |
Mining
Industry /
Operations /
Geology |
Capital
Markets /
Finance /
Accounting |
Public
Company
Boards /
Corporate
Governance |
HS /
Sustainability
/ Risk
Management |
Talent
Management |
Strategic
Planning
/ M&A |
Government
Relations /
Legal
Matters |
Capital
Project
Management |
Adams |
ü |
|
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
|
Chater |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
|
|
Chirekos |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
|
ü |
|
|
Davidson |
ü |
|
ü |
ü |
|
|
ü |
|
Gowans |
ü |
|
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
McCulley |
ü |
|
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
Mulligan |
|
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
Pearce |
ü |
|
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
|
ü |
Schonberner |
|
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
|
ü |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
73 | |
Other Public Company Directorships/Committee
Appointments
The Company recognizes that there is value in a director serving
on the boards of other companies, so long as this service does not give rise to a conflict with the Company’s interests. A director’s
acceptance of additional positions as a corporate director is therefore subject to the prior notification of the Board through either
the Chair of the Board or the Chair of the CGNC.
The following table provides details of the directorships and committee
appointments held by the Nominees at other public companies as at the date of this Circular. None of the directors and/or Nominees of
New Gold serve together as directors on the boards of other public companies. This is consistent with New Gold’s Board Guidelines
on Term Limits, Retirement, Over-Boarding and Board Interlocks (“Board Guidelines”), adopted on February 18, 2021,
which do not permit board interlocks except in exceptional circumstances that have been considered by the CGNC and approved by the Board.
Director |
Other Public Company Directorships |
Other Public Company Committee Appointments |
Renaud Adams |
Omai Gold Mines Corp. (since 2020) |
None |
Geoff Chater |
None |
None |
Nick Chirekos |
Peabody Energy Corporation (since 2017) |
• Chair
of Audit Committee
• Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee |
Gillian Davidson |
Lundin Gold Inc. (since 2021) |
• Chair
of Sustainability Committee |
|
Central Asia Metal Limited (since 2019) |
• Chair
of Sustainability Committee
• Technical
Committee |
Jim Gowans |
Marathon Gold Corporation (since 2020) |
• Chair
of Technical Committee |
Trilogy Metals Inc. (since 2019) |
• Chair
of Human Resources and Compensation Committee
• Technical
Committee |
Cameco Ltd. (since 2009) |
• Chair
of Safety, Health and Environment Committee
• Reserves
Oversight Committee
• Audit
and Finance Committee |
Tom McCulley |
None |
None |
Peggy Mulligan |
Canadian Western Bank (since 2017) |
• Risk
Committee
• Audit
Committee |
Ian Pearce |
NextSource Materials Inc. (since 2021) |
• Audit
Committee
• Governance
Committee |
|
|
• Sustainability
Committee |
|
Northland Power Inc. (since 2020) |
• Audit
Committee |
|
|
• Governance
and Nominations Committee |
|
Metso Outotec Corporation (since 2015) |
• Audit
and Risk Committee |
Marilyn Schonberner |
Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (since 2018) |
• Audit
Committee
• Human
Resources Committee |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
74 | |
The Board Guidelines also provide that, as a general rule,
each non-management director may not serve on more than three other public company boards of directors unless the Board determines it
is in the best interests of the Company to exempt a director from this guideline.
The Board has determined that the simultaneous service of some
of its directors on other audit committees does not impair and may enhance the ability of such directors to effectively serve on New Gold’s
Audit Committee. However, in light of the workload associated with being a member of a public company audit committee, the Company’s
Board Guidelines provide that Audit Committee members should not sit on the audit committees of more than two other public companies.
Position Descriptions
The Board has developed a written position description for
the Chair of the Board and the chair of each Board committee as detailed in the Board Mandate. In addition to the Board Mandate, the chair
of each Board committee acts within the parameters set by their respective committee charters. The Board has also developed a written
position description for the President and Chief Executive Officer. A brief description of the roles of the President and Chief Executive
Officer and the Chair of the Board is set out below.
President and Chief Executive
Officer
The President and Chief Executive Officer’s role is
to provide leadership and overall management of the Company’s operations, including fostering a high performance culture consistent
with New Gold’s values, and to act as a key corporate representative in dealing with shareholders, analysts, the government and
other stakeholder groups. Among other things, the President and Chief Executive Officer’s responsibilities include:
| (a) | developing, with input from the Board, and executing the Company’s strategic plan; |
| (b) | establishing current and long-term objectives, and periodic business, capital and operating plans and budgets; |
| (c) | overseeing all of New Gold’s operations and business activities; |
| (d) | developing and maintaining an effective organizational structure; |
| (e) | ensuring the principal business risks and controls of the Company are identified and managed, and overseeing the implementation of
effective control, monitoring and performance standards and systems; |
| (f) | engaging with the Chair of the Board, and the chair of each Board committee on key matters that require Board approval, and providing
timely information to the Board and its committees to enable them to effectively discharge their obligations; and |
| (g) | making recommendations to the Board on salary, bonuses and LTI amounts for the officers, and equity-based compensation for employees. |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
75 | |
Chair of the Board
The Board has appointed Ian Pearce, an independent director,
as its Chair. He works closely with the standing committees of the Board on matters relating to compensation, finance, strategy and corporate
governance. The Chair of the Board provides leadership and advice to directors in discharging their duties, including by, among other
things, promoting cohesiveness among the directors, ensuring that the responsibilities of the Board and its committees are well understood
and carried out by the directors, and communicating with directors between meetings.
The Chair of the Board assists the Board in discharging its
stewardship function, including by:
| (a) | presiding over all meetings of shareholders of the Company; |
| (b) | together with the Chair of the CGNC, reviewing the committees of the Board, and the composition and chairs of such committees; |
| (c) | together with the Chair of the CGNC, ensuring that the Board, committees of the Board, individual directors and senior management
of New Gold understand and discharge their duties and obligations under New Gold’s system of corporate governance; and |
| (d) | consulting with committee chairs and overseeing and monitoring the work of committees of the Board. |
In connection with meetings of the directors, the Chair of
the Board is responsible for the following:
| (a) | scheduling meetings, including in camera sessions; |
| (b) | coordinating with the chairs of the committees of the Board to schedule meetings of the committees; |
| (c) | coordinating the appointment of ad hoc or special committees of the Board as and when required; |
| (d) | reviewing items of importance for consideration by the Board; |
| (e) | ensuring that all business required to come before the Board is brought before the Board, such that the Board is able to carry out
all of its duties to manage or supervise the management of the business and affairs of New Gold; |
| (f) | setting the agenda for meetings of the Board; |
| (g) | monitoring the adequacy of materials provided to the directors by management in connection with the directors’ deliberations,
including the Board’s access to appropriate members of management and employees as required or appropriate; |
| (h) | acting as the principal liaison between the Board and the Chief Executive Officer; |
| (i) | ensuring that the directors have sufficient time to review the materials provided to them and to fully discuss the business that comes
before the Board; |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
76 | |
| (j) | presiding over meetings of the directors, including in camera sessions of the independent directors; and |
| (k) | encouraging free and open discussion at meetings of the Board. |
Committees of the Board
The Board has the following four standing committees:
| (d) | the Technical and Sustainability Committee. |
Each committee reports directly to the Board.
The current membership of each standing committee of the Board
is set out in the table below. From time to time, when appropriate, ad hoc committees of the Board may be established by the Board.
Board Committee |
Committee Members |
Status |
Audit Committee |
Marilyn Schonberner (Chair) |
Independent |
|
Geoff Chater |
Independent |
Peggy Mulligan |
Independent |
Human Resources and Compensation Committee |
Peggy Mulligan (Chair) |
Independent |
Nick Chirekos |
Independent |
Tom McCulley |
Independent |
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee |
Nick Chirekos (Chair) |
Independent |
Gillian Davidson |
Independent |
Marilyn Schonberner |
Independent |
Technical and Sustainability Committee |
Gillian Davidson (Chair) |
Independent |
Jim Gowans |
Independent |
Geoff Chater |
Independent |
|
Tom McCulley |
Independent |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
77 | |
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is comprised of three directors who satisfy
the independence, financial literacy and experience requirements prescribed by National Instrument 52-110 - Audit Committees, U.S.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The overall purpose of the Audit Committee
is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to accounting, auditing, financial reporting and internal
control processes by, among other things: (i) ensuring the integrity of the financial statements and financial reporting of the Company;
(ii) overseeing compliance with related legal and regulatory requirements; (iii) ensuring the overall adequacy and maintenance of the
systems of internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures that management has established; and (iv) maintaining overall responsibility
for the Company’s external and internal audit processes, including the external auditor’s qualifications, independence and
performance.
Further information regarding the Audit Committee is contained
in New Gold’s latest AIF under the heading “Audit Committee”, and a copy of the Audit Committee charter is attached
as a schedule to the AIF. The AIF is available under New Gold’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Human Resources and Compensation
Committee
As described under the heading “Statement of Executive
Compensation - Composition and Role of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee” on page 29, the HRCC is comprised
of three independent directors. Its overall purpose is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to
human capital, human resources and compensation matters, including: (i) establishing and monitoring guidelines and practices with respect
to compensation and benefits provided by the Company to its employees; (ii) overseeing the Company’s equity-linked compensation
plans for employees; (iii) ensuring the human resources strategy supports execution of the Company’s strategic plan; and (iv) monitoring
the Company’s significant policies, programs and practices related to human resources, including recruitment, training, development,
career planning, performance management, succession planning and corporate culture.
Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee
The CGNC is comprised of three independent directors. Its
overall purpose is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to corporate governance matters, including:
(i) providing a focus on corporate governance that will enhance corporate performance and the long term viability of the Company; (ii)
assisting the Company in carrying out its corporate governance responsibilities under applicable laws and stock exchange requirements;
(iii) establishing criteria for Board and committee membership, making recommendations with respect to the composition of the Board and
its committees and, as circumstances arise, assessing director performance; (iv) assisting the Board in its overall oversight of the adequacy
and effectiveness of the Company’s enterprise risk management framework and program; and (v) establishing a process for the identification,
selection and nomination of new directors when vacancies arise.
Technical and Sustainability
Committee
The Technical and Sustainability Committee is comprised of
four independent directors, each of whom has a strong operational or sustainability background. The overall purpose of the Technical and
Sustainability Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to major technical and operational
matters and the Company’s Sustainability Strategy and objectives, including: (i) reviewing and monitoring the policies and activities
of the Company as they relate to operations and production; (ii) overseeing exploration activities and mineral reserve and resource estimates;
and (iii) overseeing the Company’s Sustainability Strategy and objectives, including health, safety, the environment and relations
with communities and Indigenous peoples.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
78 | |
Meetings of the Board and Committees of
the Board
The Board meets a minimum of four times per year and as otherwise
required. The Board committees each meet on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary by the applicable committee. The
frequency of the meetings and the nature of each meeting agenda depend on the business and affairs that New Gold faces from time to time.
Directors may also attend informal updates by management from time to time where no formal business is conducted. During 2021, the Board
met nine times, the Audit Committee met five times, the HRCC met four times, the CGNC met four times and the Technical and Sustainability
Committee met four times. Below are details regarding director attendance at Board and committee meetings held during the year ended December
31, 2021. It is also noted that the directors generally attend all committee meetings held in conjunction with Board meetings; however,
the attendance table below only reflects attendance at meetings for which the director was required to attend as a committee member.
Director(1) |
Board |
Audit
Committee |
Human
Resources and
Compensation
Committee |
Corporate
Governance
and
Nominating
Committee |
Technical
and
Sustainability
Committee |
Total Board/
Committee
Attendance |
Renaud Adams |
9 of 9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
9 of 9
(100%) |
Geoff Chater |
4 of 4 |
3 of 3 |
- |
- |
2 of 2 |
9 of 9
(100%) |
Nick Chirekos |
9 of 9 |
2 of 2 |
2 of 2 |
4 of 4 |
- |
17 of 17
(100%) |
Gillian Davidson |
8 of 9 |
- |
- |
4 of 4 |
4 of 4 |
16 of 17
(94%) |
Jim Gowans |
9 of 9 |
- |
2 of 2 |
- |
4 of 4 |
15 of 15
(100%) |
Tom McCulley |
3 of 4 |
- |
2 of 2 |
- |
1 of 2(2) |
6 of 8
(75%) |
Peggy Mulligan |
9 of 9 |
5 of 5 |
2 of 2 |
2 of 2 |
- |
18 of 18
(100%) |
Ian Pearce |
9 of 9 |
- |
2 of 2 |
- |
2 of 2 |
13 of 13
(100%) |
Marilyn Schonberner(3) |
8 of 9 |
5 of 5 |
2 of 2 |
2 of 2 |
- |
17 of 18
(94%) |
| (1) | Attendance by each director at Board and committee meetings is based on the number of meetings held during the period of the year
during which the director was a member of the Board and/or the applicable committee. Mr. Chater and Mr. McCulley joined the Board following
their election at the Company’s 2021 annual general meeting of shareholders on May 4, 2021, and various changes to the membership
of the Board’s standing committees were approved by the Board on that date. The membership of the committees changed on that as
follows and remained the same for the balance of the year: |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
79 | |
|
Committee Membership and Applicable Changes |
Audit Committee: |
Prior to May 4, 2021: Marilyn Schonberner (Chair), Peggy Mulligan and Nick Chirekos |
After May 4, 2021: Marilyn Schonberner (Chair), Peggy Mulligan and Geoff Chater |
CGNC: |
Prior to May 4, 2021: Peggy Mulligan (Chair), Gillian Davidson and Nick Chirekos |
After May 4, 2021: Nick Chirekos (Chair), Gillian Davidson and Marilyn Schonberner |
HRCC: |
Prior to May 4, 2021: Jim Gowans (Chair), Ian Pearce and Marilyn Schonberner |
After May 4, 2021: Peggy Mulligan (Chair), Nick Chirekos and Tom McCulley |
Technical and Sustainability Committee: |
Prior to May 4, 2021: Gillian Davidson (Chair), Ian Pearce and Jim Gowans |
After May 4, 2021: Gillian Davidson (Chair), Geoff Chater, Jim Gowans and Tom McCulley |
| (2) | Mr. McCulley was unable to attend a Technical and Sustainability Committee meeting due to illness. |
| (3) | Ms.
Schonberner recused herself from particpating in a Board meeting relating to the sale of
the Blackwater Project gold stream to Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. due to her position as
a director of both Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. and the Company. For more information on
how New Gold deals with conflicts of interests, please see “Director Conflicts of Interest
and Related-Party Transactions” on page 86. |
As set out in the Board Mandate, Board members are expected
to: attend all meetings of the Board in person or by telephone or other electronic communications device that permits all members in the
meeting to speak and to hear each other; to devote the necessary time and attention to the work of the Board; and to have reviewed Board
materials in advance and be prepared to discuss such materials.
Board
and management Diversity
New Gold recognizes the benefits of having a diverse Board
and management group and seeks to increase diversity amongst its directors and management. To this end, New Gold has adopted a written
corporate Diversity Policy, the objective of which is to increase diversity at both the Board and management levels. Three of the nine
Nominees (33%) to the Board are female. Also, two members of New Gold’s seven-member management team (28.5%) are female and two
members (28.5%) meet other diversity criteria set out in the Diversity Policy.
Category |
March 2022 |
March 2021 |
March 2020 |
Number |
Percentage |
Number |
Percentage |
Number |
Percentage |
Board of Directors |
3 of 9 |
33% |
3 of 9 |
33% |
3 of 7 |
43% |
Management Team |
2 of 7 |
28.5% |
3 of 8 |
37.5% |
1 of 6 |
17% |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
80 | |
At the Board level, the Diversity Policy requires the Board
and the CGNC to consider the benefits of diversity, and the diversity of Board members, in reviewing Board succession, composition and
assessing Board effectiveness. It further provides that all Board appointments will be made on merit, based on the skills, experiences,
functional expertise, independence, knowledge and personal and other qualities that the Board as a whole requires to be effective, with
due regard to the benefits of diversity (including the level of representation of women and people of diverse race and ethnicities on
the Board). The Diversity Policy includes an annual review of the level of representation of women and other diverse candidates on the
Board, and the effectiveness of the Diversity Policy, which is assessed based on the number of female and other diverse candidates identified,
the number of such candidates that advance in the director selection process and the number that are ultimately appointed or nominated
to the Board. When identifying new candidates to recommend for appointment or election to the Board, the Diversity Policy requires the
Board (or the CGNC) to consider engaging qualified external advisors to conduct a search for candidates that meet the Board’s criteria.
If external advisors are engaged, they will be instructed to put forward a diverse selection of candidates, including female candidates.
At the senior management level, in evaluating and considering
candidates, New Gold will, among other things, (a) consider only candidates who are highly qualified based on their experience, knowledge,
personal skills and qualities; (b) consider diversity criteria including gender, race, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation and
disability; (c) consider the level of diversity in senior leadership positions; and (d) when appropriate, engage qualified external advisors
to conduct a search for candidates who meet New Gold’s skills and diversity criteria to help achieve greater diversity in senior
management. New Gold also participates in the International Women in Mining mentoring program that provides mentoring opportunities for
female staff across the organization and also provides female corporate employees with membership in Women in Mining Toronto.
New Gold does not support the adoption of quotas to support
the Diversity Policy. All Board and senior management appointments will be made based on merit, having regard to the skills, experience,
independence, knowledge and other qualities that the Board and senior management as a whole require to be effective, with due regard for
the benefits of diversity.
The CGNC and the Board will continue to consider evolving
corporate governance and diversity practices among other issuers and in other jurisdictions as they develop, with a view to ensuring that
New Gold maintains its track record of gender diversity and its practices continue to be representative of sound corporate governance
practices.
In 2021, New Gold formally implemented a company-wide Anti-Racism
Policy to support diversity and inclusion in the Company. For more details on New Gold’s Anti-Racism Policy, see “Sustainability
and ESG” above.
Board
of Directors Governance
Director Term Limits and Retirement
The Board adopted the Board Guidelines which set out, among
other things, general principles by which the Board will approach term limits for directors.
The Board seeks to bring fresh thinking and new perspectives
to the Board while maintaining an appropriate degree of continuity. In furtherance of these objectives, the Board will generally not nominate
for re-election any non-management director if the director will have completed ten years of service as a member of the Board or will
have attained the age of 72, in each case, on or prior to the date of the election as to which the nomination relates. However, if the
Board nominates a person who is older than 65 years of age, that person may be permitted to serve for at least seven years, regardless
of their age. There should be no expectation that a director will serve on the Board for the periods contemplated by these guidelines.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
81 | |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may exercise discretion
to exempt a director from the term and retirement age guidelines set out in these Board Guidelines where it determines, in the exercise
of its fiduciary duty, that granting such an exemption is in the best interests of the Company. The current average term of the Company’s
directors is three years and the average age of New Gold’s directors is 59.
Orientation and Continuing Education
In connection with its formal onboarding process, the Board,
together with the Chair of the CGNC, is responsible for ensuring that new directors are provided with an orientation and education program.
The orientation and education program includes, among other things, providing the director with information about the duties and obligations
of directors and the business and operations of the Company, as well as a number of different documents, such as the Company’s Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics, Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy, constating documents, most recent sustainability report and minutes
and other documents from recent Board and committee meetings.
With respect to ongoing director education, the Chair of the
CGNC, in conjunction with the Chair of the Board, is responsible for ensuring that:
| (a) | all directors receive updates to Company policy documents and information related to changes to applicable laws and stock exchange
requirements, including major public policy and regulatory initiatives relating to the Company’s business; |
| (b) | regular discussions relating to corporate governance issues and directors’ duties are conducted at Board meetings; |
| (c) | the Company’s policies are reviewed and updated by the Board as new rules or circumstances dictate; and |
| (d) | appropriate funding is available to directors to attend external seminars or conferences relevant to their positions as directors
of the Company. |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
82 | |
As part of the Company’s ongoing director education
program, the Company conducted the following director education sessions:
Date |
Topic |
Presented By |
Attendance |
May 2021 |
ESG in Financial Reporting and Disclosure |
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg
LLP and
Deloitte LLP |
Mr. Adams, Mr. Chater, Mr. Gowans, Mr. McCulley, Ms. Mulligan, Mr. Pearce and Ms. Schonberner |
August 2021 |
Key Issues and Considerations in Public Disclosure |
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg
LLP
|
Mr. Adams, Mr. Chater, Mr. Chirekos, Mr. Gowans, Mr. McCulley, Ms. Mulligan, Mr. Pearce and Ms. Schonberner |
August 2021 |
Report on 2021 Annual General Meeting and AGM Trends |
Kingsdale Advisors |
All Directors |
August 2021 |
Gold Industry Market Update |
RBC Capital Markets |
All Directors |
February 2022 |
Perspectives on Shareholder Activism |
BMO Capital Markets |
All Directors |
The Board also regularly receives presentations on industry
trends from the Company’s auditors in the Company’s Audit Committee meetings, which are generally attended by all directors,
and the Company maintains memberships for all directors with the Institute of Corporate Directors, which offers professional development
and continuing education programs. New Gold is planning additional director education programs in 2022.
The Board seeks to have annual site visits. The last site
visit was to the New Afton Mine in 2019. Travel restrictions related to COVID-19 prevented site visits in 2020 and 2021; however, a visit
to the Rainy River Mine is being planned for 2022.
The Board has access to such officers and employees of the
Company, its external auditors, its legal counsel and to all such information respecting the Company as the Board considers to be necessary
or advisable in order to perform its duties and responsibilities. Directors may arrange meetings with officers and employees of the Company,
its external auditors and its legal counsel either directly or through the Chair, the President and Chief Executive Officer or the Corporate
Secretary. Management provides briefings to directors with respect to the business and operations of the Company at every regularly scheduled
Board meeting.
Board and Director Assessments
The CGNC, in conjunction with the Board, is responsible for
reviewing, on an annual basis, the Board Mandate and the charter of each Board committee and the methods and processes by which the Board
fulfills its duties and responsibilities.
In addition, the CGNC is responsible for administering a Board
and director evaluation process, which culminates in the CGNC preparing and delivering a final report with recommendations to the Board.
To fulfil this aspect of its mandate, the Chair of the CGNC conducts a one-on-one discussion with each independent director, and the independent
directors meet as a group to discuss matters related to Board performance. The basis of these one-on-one and group discussions is a set
of written questions that is approved by the CGNC in advance, regarding the performance and effectiveness of the Board, the Chair of the
Board, Board committees, Board and committee meetings and the Board’s engagement with management. The discussions also elicit additional
input on a variety of Board governance matters, including strategic matters overseen by the Board, Board composition, Board diversity
and director education programs. The results of this evaluation process are reported to the Board with any recommendations, which are
discussed and implemented, as appropriate.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
83 | |
The process described above is undertaken annually, though
given the Board’s small size and active engagement, Board effectiveness is a subject of ongoing discussion among the independent
directors.
Nomination of Directors
The CGNC, which is comprised entirely of independent directors,
annually identifies, prioritizes and reviews the skills, expertise and other qualities that the Board as a whole should possess. Through
this process, the CGNC identifies areas that could be supplemented by new directors relative to the skills, expertise and other qualities
of the existing directors. Following this review, the CGNC is responsible for recommending to the Board appropriate criteria for the selection
of new directors and, in consultation with the Board, establishing a process for selecting new Board members. While the CGNC has the primary
responsibility for identifying prospective Board members, all qualified candidates proposed are considered by the Board.
To encourage an objective
nominating process when considering potential Board nominees, the CGNC takes into account
a number of factors, which may include, among others, the current composition of the Board, the ability of the individual candidate to
contribute on an overall basis, the ability of the individual to contribute sufficient time and resources to the Board, the current and
future needs of New Gold, the composition of the Board and the degree of diversity (including gender) among the directors, the individual’s
direct experience with public companies in general and mining companies in particular, as well as the ability of the candidate’s
skills, experience and other qualities to complement those of existing members of the Board.
The CGNC uses the following process to identify and nominate
highly qualified and dedicated director candidates for election to the Board:
| (a) | The Chair of the Board, the Chair of the CGNC or other members of the Board identify the need to add new Board members, with careful
consideration of the mix of skills, experience and other qualities (including diversity, with particular emphasis on gender diversity,
and tenure) represented on the Board. |
| (b) | The CGNC coordinates the search for qualified candidates with input from management and other Board members. To assist in the identification
of prospective director candidates, the CGNC may engage qualified external advisors to conduct a search if the CGNC deems such engagement
necessary. The search for qualified candidates will be carried out having regard to the Diversity Policy. |
| (c) | Selected members of the Board will interview prospective candidates. The CGNC may, to the extent it deems appropriate, consult with
significant shareholders of the Company or other stakeholders as part of the process of nominating new directors. |
| (d) | The CGNC will recommend a nominee and seek full Board endorsement of the selected candidate, based on its judgment as to which candidate
will best serve the interests of the shareholders. |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
84 | |
Shareholder Communication and Engagement
In order to allow shareholders to provide timely and meaningful
feedback to the Board, the Board has adopted a formal Board Shareholder Communication and Engagement Policy (the “Shareholder
Engagement Policy”), which is available on the Company’s website at www.newgold.com. In addition to addressing the Company’s
policies with respect to shareholder communications, under the Shareholder Engagement Policy, members of the Board may be authorized to
meet with New Gold shareholders, shareholder organizations and governance groups. The intent of these discussions is for the Board to
listen to New Gold shareholders and to explain publicly available information. All discussions are subject to the obligation not to make
selective disclosure of a material fact or material change. In addition to responding to inbound shareholder requests for meetings, the
Company regularly engages in proactive shareholder engagement events with its major shareholders, including by way of roundtable discussions,
investor days, roadshows, one-on-one in-person or telephone meetings, virtual meetings or via other forums.
Generally, appropriate topics for discussion between the Board
and shareholders may include:
| • | Board and committee structure and composition (including diversity, tenure and independence); |
| • | Board, committee or director performance; |
| • | Board and executive succession planning; |
| • | Chief Executive Officer performance; |
| • | corporate governance practices and disclosure; |
| • | oversight of the Company’s strategy, environmental, social and sustainability stewardship and risk management framework; |
| • | general Board oversight (including auditing, audit quality and internal controls); |
| • | executive compensation; and |
| • | any shareholder proposals. |
The Board member(s) present are required to report to the Chair of
the Board on the outcome of any such meetings. During 2021, the Chair of the Board met and engaged in discussions with several of the
Company’s largest shareholders. Following these discussions, the Chair of the Board conveyed the shareholder perspectives gained
from those meetings to the Board.
The Board has designated the Corporate Secretary as its agent to
receive communications and meeting requests addressed to the Board or any individual director. Communications to the Board from shareholders
and other interested parties should be directed to:
Board of Directors of New Gold Inc.
c/o Corporate Secretary
New Gold Inc.
181 Bay Street, Suite 3320
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2T3
Email: general.counsel@newgold.com
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
85 | |
Ethical
business conduct
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
The Company has a written Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
(“Code”) for the directors, officers and employees of New Gold and its subsidiaries. The Board most recently reviewed
the Code on November 24, 2021. A copy of the Code is posted on New Gold’s website at www.newgold.com.
All directors, officers and employees are expected to comply
with and sign off annually on the Code, which reaffirms the Company’s high standards of business conduct. The Code is part of New
Gold’s continuing effort to ensure that it complies with all applicable laws, has an effective program to prevent and detect violations
of law, and conducts its business with fairness, honesty and integrity.
The Board monitors compliance with the Code generally and
reviews the Code on an annual basis to determine whether any changes are necessary or desirable. At least annually, each director is required
to certify whether he or she has been in compliance with the Code in respect of his or her role as a director of the Company and whether
he or she is aware of any possible violation of the Code that was not raised with the General Counsel or other member of senior management
of the Company during the period since the prior certification.
Under the Code, officers and directors of New Gold are expected
to report potential violations of the Code involving officers or directors to the Chair of the Audit Committee.
In the unlikely event of a waiver of the Code, any such waiver
for a director or executive officer must be approved by the Board (or a designated committee) and such waiver will be disclosed to shareholders
as required by applicable law. The Board did not grant any waiver of the Code to any director or executive officer during 2021 or during
the past 12 months.
Director Conflicts of Interest and Related-Party
Transactions
New Gold has implemented certain procedural safeguards to
ensure that any conflicts of interest or related-party transactions are identified and addressed in accordance with its Code and other
corporate governance documents and applicable laws. Among the duties of the CGNC set out in its charter, the CGNC is responsible for assessing
and managing any actual or perceived conflicts of interest by members of the Board and assessing related-party transactions involving
directors. In the event of a conflict of interest or related-party transaction, in addition to the statutory responsibilities of directors
to disclose all actual or potential conflicts of interest and generally to refrain from voting on matters in which the director has a
conflict of interest or is a related party, a director is required to recuse himself or herself from any discussion or decision on any
matter in which the director is precluded from voting as a result of a conflict of interest, being a related party or which otherwise
affects his or her personal, business or professional interest. The Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) does, however,
contain certain exemptions for specified situations, including certain contracts or transactions with wholly-owned subsidiaries of New
Gold, a contract of indemnity or insurance for the director, and agreements relating to the compensation of the director in his or her
capacity as a director, officer or employee of New Gold or an affiliate. In 2021, Ms. Schonberner declared a conflict of interest and
recused herself from particpating in discussion of, and voting on, the sale to Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. of the Artemis Gold Blackwater
Project gold stream due to her position as a director of both Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. and the Company.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
86 | |
The Company’s Code also governs conflicts of interest
and requires directors, officers and employees of the Company to disclose any relationship that could create, or reasonably be perceived
as creating, a conflict of interest. Pursuant to the Code, any actual, apparent or potential conflict of interest involving a director
or officer must be reported to the Chair of the Audit Committee. In addition, each year directors are required to complete questionnaires
in which they identify the names of their related parties and any existing or potential related-party transactions or conflicts of interest
that could be material to New Gold. Where appropriate, the Board can form a committee of independent directors to review any material
conflicts of interest or related-party transactions.
Whistleblower Policy
New Gold has adopted a Whistleblower Policy which allows its
directors, officers, employees and contractors who feel that a violation of the Code or the Company’s Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption
Policy has occurred, or who have concerns regarding financial statement disclosure issues, accounting, internal accounting controls or
auditing matters, to report their concerns to their immediate supervisor, to anonymously report such violation to the Chair of the Audit
Committee in writing (or to the Chair of the Board if the concern deals with the Chair of the Audit Committee), or through an external
hotline service provider, by telephone, by email or online. Concerns are reviewed by the Chair of the Audit Committee in the manner deemed
to be appropriate based on the nature and merits of the submission and with the assistance and direction of whomever the Chair of the
Audit Committee deems appropriate.
RISK
OVERSIGHT AND MANAGEMENT
The Board has responsibility for identifying and understanding
the principal risks of the Company’s business. Performance of this obligation is supplemented by the Board’s standing committees,
each of which has oversight over the risks related to its mandate and are comprised solely of independent members. Top risks in the Company’s
enterprise risk management (“ERM”) program are presented to the Board on a quarterly basis. In addition, the CGNC reviews
and reports to the Board on the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s ERM framework and program, including management’s
programs and processes for identifying, assessing, managing and disclosing identified risks relating to the Company’s business,
at least once per year.
New Gold maintains an ERM program aimed at actively identifying,
assessing and mitigating the Company’s top risks. Each operating mine has a risk committee that is responsible for maintaining a
risk register for the site. Senior management also comprises a corporate risk committee that maintains a corporate risk register. The
corporate risk committee also reviews the site risk registers. Each risk register assesses both the likelihood of a risk and the potential
consequences, and also identifies mitigation actions. For example, in connection with the growing number of risks and concerns relating
to information technology (“IT”) and cyber security, the Company has listed IT and cyber security threats as a risk
in its risk register, assessed the potential and likelihood that associated impacts could come to pass, assigned a risk owner for monitoring
such risk and identified opportunities and actions for improvement. The Audit Committee reviews the Company’s approach to IT and
cyber security on an annual basis. The site and corporate risk committees meet at least once each quarter to assess any changes to the
likelihood, consequences or mitigation actions for each risk. Top risks are identified through this process and reported to the Board
on a quarterly basis, together with a discussion of strategic opportunities and issues. The CGNC reviews the ERM program once per year
as well.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
87 | |
New Gold assesses sustainability risks, including risks relating
to climate change, as part of this ERM program. Through this process, New Gold has adopted a number of initiatives aimed at mitigating
sustainability risks which are discussed above under the heading “Sustainability and ESG”. As noted above, New Gold
also assesses IT and cyber security risks as part of the ERM program. While the Company has not experienced a material IT or cyber security
breach in the past three years, as part of its annual Code of Business Conduct and Ethics training program in 2020 and 2021, IT and cyber
security was a primary area of employee training, and the Company has implemented a human focused security and training system that proactively
tests and targets users for cyber security awareness and training. In an effort to mitigate any IT or cyber security risks and the impacts
thereof, the Company maintains a standalone cyber liability insurance policy and regularly tests its cyber security postures, both internally
and via a third-party cyber security specialist, to confirm its security standards and identify areas of improvement in accordance with
best practices.
OTHER
INFORMATION
Indebtedness of Directors and Executive
Officers
None of New Gold’s directors, Nominees, executive officers
or employees, or former directors, executive officers or employees, nor any associate of such individuals, is as at the date of this Circular,
or has been, during the year ended December 31, 2021, indebted to New Gold or any of its subsidiaries in connection with a purchase of
securities or otherwise. In addition, no indebtedness of these individuals to another entity has been the subject of a guarantee, support
agreement, letter of credit or similar arrangement or understanding provided by New Gold or any of its subsidiaries.
Interest of Certain Persons in Matters to
be Acted Upon
Other than the election of directors, none of the following
persons have any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter to be
acted on at the Meeting: (a) a director or executive officer of New Gold who has held such position at any time since January 1, 2021;
(b) each Nominee; or (c) an associate or affiliate of a person listed in (a) or (b).
Interest of Informed Persons in Material
Transactions
Other than as described under the heading “Director
Conflicts of Interest and Related Party Transactions” in this Circular, since January 1, 2021, no informed person (as defined
in National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations) of New Gold, Nominee, or associate or affiliate of any informed
person or Nominee, has or had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction or in any proposed transaction which has materially
affected or would materially affect New Gold or any of its subsidiaries.
Other Matters
At the time of printing this Circular, management of New Gold
does not know of any matters to come before the Meeting other than those referred to in the Notice of Meeting accompanying this Circular.
However, if any other matters properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the form of proxy accompanying
this Circular to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
88 | |
Additional Information
Additional information regarding New Gold and its business
activities, including New Gold’s annual financial statements and related MD&A for its most recently completed financial year,
is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under New Gold’s profile, on the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s
website at www.sec.gov and on New Gold’s website at www.newgold.com. Following the Meeting, the voting results for each item on
the proxy will be available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under New Gold’s profile. Shareholders may also contact New Gold by phone
at 1-833-324-6018 or by email at info@newgold.com to request copies of these documents, which will be provided free of charge.
DIRECTORS’
APPROVAL
The contents of this Circular and its distribution to the
shareholders of New Gold have been approved by the Board.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ian Pearce
Chair of the Board
Toronto, Ontario
March 18, 2022
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
89 | |
SCHEDULE
A - EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
New Gold has three equity compensation plans: the Stock Option
Plan, the Long Term Incentive Plan and one historical stock option plan. There are no options outstanding, and the Board does not intend
to grant any new options, under the historical stock option plan.
Stock
Option Plan
The Stock Option Plan was adopted by the Board on March 3,
2011, and was subsequently approved by shareholders on May 4, 2011, and then reapproved on April 30, 2014, April 26, 2017, and May 20,
2020. As at March 14, 2022, a total of 7,043,152 Options (representing 1.03% of the issued and outstanding Shares of New Gold) were outstanding
under the Stock Option Plan. The annual “burn rate” for the Stock Option Plan (number of Options granted under the plan in
a year divided by the weighted average number of Shares outstanding in that year) was 0.35%, 0.34% and 0.25% for 2019, 2020 and 2021,
respectively. In 2021, a total of 1,723,011 Options were granted (representing 0.25% of the issued and outstanding Shares as at December
31, 2021).
The following is a summary of the principal terms of the Stock
Option Plan. Subject to the provisions of the Stock Option Plan, the Board has the authority to determine the terms, limitations, restrictions
and conditions applicable to the vesting or to the exercise of an Option, including, without limitation, the nature and duration of the
restrictions, if any, to be imposed on the sale or other disposition of Shares acquired on the exercise of the Option.
Eligibility
Options may be granted to directors (subject to certain limits
on grants to non-employee directors), employees, officers or eligible contractors of New Gold or its affiliates (collectively, “Eligible
Persons”). During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company did not grant any Options to the non-executive directors.
Vesting
All Options granted under the Stock Option Plan have been
granted on the basis they will vest as to one-third of the number granted on the first anniversary of the grant date, one-third on the
second anniversary and one-third on the third anniversary. The Board establishes the vesting and other terms and conditions for an Option
at the time the Option is granted. In the event of a Change of Control, the Board may, in its discretion, accelerate the vesting of all
unvested Options.
Awards under the Stock Option Plan to executive officers are
subject to the Company’s Executive Compensation Clawback Policy.
Securities Issuable under the Stock Option
Plan
The aggregate number of Shares of New Gold reserved for issuance
for all Options granted under the Stock Option Plan and for all other security-based compensation arrangements of the Company, other than
the Long Term Incentive Plan, must not exceed 3.5% of the Shares issued and outstanding (on a non-diluted basis) at the time of granting
the Option.
The total number of Shares issuable to any one person under
the Stock Option Plan, together with any Shares reserved for issuance to such participant under any security-based compensation arrangements,
may not exceed 34,062,592 Shares, representing 5% of the Shares issued and outstanding (on a non-diluted
basis) on the date of the grant. In addition, the Stock Option Plan limits Option grants to non-employee directors to the lesser of (i)
1% of Shares issued and outstanding (on a non-diluted basis) at the time of grant, and (ii) an annual value of $100,000.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
90 | |
Limits on Securities Issuable to Insiders
The Stock Option Plan (a) limits the aggregate number of Shares
issuable to insiders under any equity-based compensation plan to 10% of the Shares issued and outstanding (on a non-diluted basis) at
the time of grant, and (b) limits the number of Shares issued to insiders in any one-year period under any equity-based compensation plan
to 10% of the Shares issued and outstanding (on a non-diluted basis).
Exercise Price
The Board establishes the exercise price of an Option at the
time the Option is granted, but it may not be less than the volume weighted average trading price of the Shares of New Gold on the TSX
for the five trading days ending on the last trading date immediately before the date of grant.
Term and Termination of Options
Options granted must be exercised no later than five years
after the date of grant or such lesser period as the Board may approve at the time of grant. However, in the event that any Option expires
during, or within 48 hours after, a Company-imposed blackout period on the trading of securities of the Company, such expiry will be extended
to the tenth day after the end of the blackout period.
If an Option holder ceases to be an Eligible Person for any
reason other than death, retirement or termination for cause, the holder’s vested Options will be cancelled 90 days after he or
she ceases to be an Eligible Person unless otherwise determined by the Board or provided in the holder’s employment agreement, but
in no case will such date exceed the original expiry date of the Option. Options that have not vested when the holder ceases to an Eligible
Person will be cancelled, unless otherwise determined by the Board. The applicable termination date on which an employee subject to Canadian
law ceases to be an Eligible Person is the later of the last day worked and the end of the applicable statutory notice period.
If an Option holder is terminated for cause, all vested and
unvested Options will be cancelled immediately after the holder ceases to be an Eligible Person.
If an Option holder retires or dies, all unvested Options
will vest on the date the holder ceases to be an Eligible Person due to retirement or death and will be cancelled 180 days after the holder’s
retirement or death, unless otherwise determined by the Board, but in no case will such date exceed the earlier of the original expiry
date of the Option or 12 months following the retirement or death of the holder.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
91 | |
Assignability
Options are non-assignable and non-transferable by a holder,
except for assignment to a Permitted Assign (as such term is defined in the Stock Option Plan). Options are exercisable only by the applicable
Eligible Person during the lifetime of the applicable Eligible Person and only by the Eligible Person’s legal representative after
the death of the Eligible Person.
Amendment Provisions
Subject to any applicable regulatory or stock exchange requirements
or restrictions in the Stock Option Plan, the Board may at any time and without shareholder approval, terminate the Stock Option Plan
or amend the provisions of the Stock Option Plan, or the terms of any Options granted, including, without limitation, making amendments:
| (ii) | to Section 2.3 of the Stock Option Plan relating to the exercise of Options, including by the inclusion of a cashless exercise feature
whereby payment is in cash or Shares or otherwise; |
| (iii) | deemed by the Board to be necessary or advisable because of any change in applicable laws; |
| (iv) | to the definitions section of the Stock Option Plan; |
| (v) | to the Change of Control provisions provided for in Section 3.1 of the Stock Option Plan; |
| (vi) | to Section 1.3 of the Stock Option Plan relating to the administration of the Stock Option Plan; |
| (vii) | to the vesting provisions of any outstanding Options; |
| (viii) | to postpone or adjust any exercise of any Option or the issuance of any Shares pursuant to the Stock Option Plan as the Board in its
discretion may deem necessary in order to permit the Company to effect or maintain registration of the Stock Option Plan or the Shares
issuable pursuant to the Stock Option Plan under the securities laws of any applicable jurisdiction, or to determine that the Shares and
the Stock Option Plan are exempt from such registration; and |
| (ix) | fundamental or otherwise, not requiring shareholder approval under applicable laws or the rules of an exchange, including amendments
of a “clerical” or “housekeeping” nature and amendments to ensure that the Options granted under the Stock Option
Plan will comply with any provisions respecting income tax and other laws in force in any country or jurisdiction of which an Eligible
Person may from time to time be resident or a citizen. |
The Stock Option Plan may, however, not be amended to effect
any of the following without the approval of a majority of shareholders voting at a shareholders’ meeting:
| (i) | increase the maximum number of Shares which may be issued under the Stock Options Plan; |
| (ii) | increase the ability of the Board to amend the Stock Option Plan without shareholder approval; |
| (iii) | amend the definition of “Eligible Persons” and “Permitted Assigns”; |
| (iv) | reduce the exercise price of any Option; |
| (v) | amend Section 2.5 of the Stock Option Plan relating to the transferability of any Option; or |
| (vi) | amend the term of any Option. |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
92 | |
In addition, the Board may not amend the Stock Option Plan
to increase insider participation limits without first having obtained the approval of a majority of shareholders voting at a shareholders’
meeting, excluding Shares voted by insiders who are Eligible Persons.
The Board may also amend the terms of any Option as long as
it does not materially and adversely alter the terms or conditions of the Option or materially and adversely impair the rights of any
Option holder under the Option granted without the consent of the Option holder.
Long
Term Incentive Plan
New Gold’s Long Term Incentive Plan provides for time-based
RSU awards and performance-based PSU awards (collectively, “Share Units”) to be granted to employees, directors, officers
and eligible contractors of the Company and its affiliates (“Participants”) as a bonus for consideration of past services
to the Company or its affiliates and to incent continued service. The Company may not grant Share Units to directors who are not employees
or eligible contractors. RSUs and PSUs are both notional share-based units that have the same value as one share of New Gold on the date
of grant. Vested RSUs are paid in cash, and vested PSUs may be paid in cash or Shares or a combination of both.
The following is a summary of the principal terms of the Long
Term Incentive Plan. Subject to the provisions of the Long Term Incentive Plan, which was last approved by shareholder on May 20, 2020,
the Board has the authority to determine the terms, limitations, restrictions and conditions applicable to the grant or vesting of a Share
Unit. A copy of the Long Term Incentive Plan is appended to the management information circular dated April 3, 2020 available on New Gold’s
profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Grant, Vesting and Term
Each Share Unit vests on its entitlement date. The Board determines
the entitlement date applicable to Share Units at the time of grant but has the discretion to amend the entitlement date after such grant.
The Board has delegated authority to the HRCC to grant individual
awards of up to 100,000 RSUs and up to 100,000 PSUs to persons other than officers of the Company. The Board further delegated authority
to management to grant individual awards of up to 50,000 RSUs to persons other than officers. The Board has also delegated to management
authority to grant awards of RSUs, PSUs and Options to newly hired or promoted employees, other than newly hired officers or employees
promoted to an officer role, up to a total grant value of $100,000. Any other grants, including all grants of RSUs and PSUs to officers,
require approval of the Board.
RSUs vest on the entitlement date or dates, as determined
by the Board in its discretion (subject to acceleration as described below under the heading “Cessation or Acceleration of Share
Units”). On an entitlement date, the Company makes a payment to the relevant Participant in cash equal to the five-day volume weighted
average price of the Company’s Shares on the TSX for the five trading days preceding the entitlement date multiplied by the number
of RSUs vesting.
PSUs vest on the entitlement date, as determined by the Board
in its discretion (subject to acceleration as described below under the heading “Cessation or Acceleration of Share Units”).
In addition, at the time PSUs are granted, the Board makes the vesting of such PSUs subject to performance conditions or measures to be
achieved by the Company, the Participant or a class of Participants, before the relevant entitlement date.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
93 | |
The number of Shares to be issued or the amount of cash to
be paid on the entitlement date of the PSUs will vary based on Achieved Performance. The Achieved Performance is a percentage that is
multiplied by the number of PSUs granted to determine the number of Shares to be issued and/or the amount of cash to be paid on the Entitlement
Date. It is calculated based on the TSR Difference between New Gold’s TSR and the TSR of the Index (i.e., New Gold’s TSR minus
the Index TSR) for each of the four Measurement Periods. The four Measurement Periods are equally weighted in determining the total Achieved
Performance for a particular PSU grant.
The Measurement Periods for outstanding PSUs are set out below:
Measurement Periods |
Percentage of Total
Achieved Performance |
P1: January 1 to December 31 of year one (year of grant) |
25% |
P2: January 1 to December 31 of year two |
25% |
P3: January 1 to December 31 of year three |
25% |
P4: January 1 of year one to December 31 of year three |
25% |
At the end of each Measurement Period, the TSR Difference is
calculated. If New Gold’s TSR exceeds the TSR of the Index in a Measurement Period (i.e., the TSR Difference is greater than zero),
the Achieved Performance for that period will be over 100%. Similarly, if New Gold’s TSR is less than the TSR of the Index in a
Measurement Period (i.e., the TSR Difference is less than zero), the Achieved Performance for that period will be less than 100%. The
minimum Achieved Performance for any Measurement Period is 0% and the maximum is 200%. To achieve the maximum Achieved Performance for
a Measurement Period, the TSR Difference must be at least 50% (i.e., New Gold’s TSR minus Index TSR ≥ 50%). For example, if the
TSR of the Index for a Measurement Period was 5%, New Gold’s TSR for that period would have to be 55% or higher to attain Achieved
Performance of 200% for that Measurement Period. If New Gold’s TSR is the same as the Index TSR for a Measurement Period, the Achieved
Performance for the period would be 100%. If the TSR Difference is -25%, (i.e., New Gold’s TSR minus Index TSR is -25%) the Achieved
Performance for the period would be 50%. Finally, if the TSR Difference is less than -25%, the Achieved Performance for the Measurement
Period would be 0% (i.e., New Gold TSR minus Index TSR < -25%). For PSUs granted in 2021, the Achieved Performance Ratio for certain
TSR Differences are set out in the table below. The Achieved Performance Ratio for other TSR Differences would be determined by linear
interpolation from these results.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
94 | |
TSR
Difference for 2021 PSUs |
Achieved
Performance Ratio
for 2021 PSUs |
New
Gold TSR minus Index TSR < -25% |
0% |
New
Gold TSR minus Index TSR = -25% |
50% |
New
Gold TSR = Index TSR |
100% |
New
Gold TSR minus Index TSR = 25% |
150% |
New
Gold TSR minus Index TSR ≥ 50% |
200% |
On the entitlement date, a PSU may be settled: (i) in cash equal
to the five-day volume weighted average price of the Company’s Shares on the TSX for the five trading days preceding the entitlement
date multiplied by the number of PSUs and the Achieved Performance; or (ii) by the issuance of the equivalent number of Shares of New
Gold as the number of PSUs multiplied by the Achieved Performance, or (iii) a combination of both. The Board may, in its discretion, grant
PSUs that can only be satisfied by the issuance of Shares from treasury or by a cash payment or by a combination thereof. The annual “burn
rate” for the Long Term Incentive Plan (number of securities granted under the plan in a year divided by the weighted average of
Shares outstanding in that year) was 0.17%, 0.37% and 0.26% for 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
95 | |
Adjustments
The Board may, in its discretion, elect to credit each Participant
with additional Share Units in the event any dividend is paid on the Shares of New Gold. In such case, the number of additional Share
Units will be equal to the aggregate amount of dividends that would have been paid to the Participant if the Share Units in the Participant’s
account had been Shares divided by the Market Price of the Shares on the date on which dividends were paid by the Company. Such additional
Share Units will vest on the entitlement date of the particular Share Unit (and will be subject to the same terms) to which the additional
Share Units relate.
Securities Issuable under the Long Term Incentive
Plan
The aggregate number of Shares to be available for issuance
in respect of all PSUs granted under the Long Term Incentive Plan will not exceed 1.25% of the Shares issued and outstanding (on a non-diluted
basis). To account for the payment of withholding tax, upon the vesting of PSUs, the Company will calculate the applicable withholding
tax attributable to such PSUs and will remit such amount directly to the Canada Revenue Agency in return for the surrender and forfeiture
by the PSU holder of PSUs in an amount equal to the remittance amount. Only PSUs which would be satisfied in Shares on their entitlement
date need to be counted when determining the 1.25% limit on the number of Shares that may be reserved for issuance under the Long Term
Incentive Plan. As at March 14, 2022, a total of 5,586,112 PSUs were outstanding under the Long Term Incentive Plan. Assuming an Achieved
Performance Ratio of 150% for PSUs granted prior to 2020 and an Achieved Performance Ratio of 200% for PSUs granted in 2020 and 2021,
excluding PSUs to vest in cash or PSUs that are expected to be surrendered in consideration for the Company paying any applicable withholding
tax amount, the maximum number of Shares which would be issued to satisfy PSUs on their entitlement date is 5,027,501 which represents
0.74% of the number of issued and outstanding Shares of New Gold, leaving 3,488,147 Shares available for future PSUs to be granted under
the Long Term Incentive Plan (representing 0.51% of the number of issued and outstanding Shares).
Limits on Securities Issuable to Insiders
The Long Term Incentive Plan (a) limits the aggregate number
of Shares issuable to insiders pursuant to Share Units and any other security-based compensation arrangements of New Gold to 10% of the
Shares issued and outstanding (on a non-diluted basis) at the time of the grant, and (b) limits the number of Shares issued to insiders
pursuant to Share Units and any other security-based compensation arrangements of New Gold within a 12-month period to 10% of the Shares
issued and outstanding (on a non-diluted basis) at the time of the issuance. In no case can a Participant, immediately after being granted
an award of Share Units (a) hold a beneficial interest in more than 34,062,592 Shares, representing
5% of the issued and outstanding Shares (on a non-diluted basis), or (b) be in a position to control the casting of greater than 5% of
the votes that may be cast at a general meeting of New Gold (collectively, the “Ownership Restrictions”).
Assignability
Subject to specific exceptions and restrictions outlined in
the Long Term Incentive Plan, Share Units are not assignable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
Cessation or Acceleration of Share Units
Subject to the terms of the Long Term Incentive Plan, Share
Units become void on the termination (with or without cause) or retirement of a Participant, except as otherwise determined by the Board
in its discretion. For Canadian Participants, termination is effective as of the end of the applicable statutory notice period prescribed
by employment standards legislation. Additionally, the Long Term Incentive Plan provides for a pro-rated cash payment for Participants
terminated without cause with unvested PSUs. The total Achieved Performance Ratio for the pro-rated cash payment would be calculated as
described above except incomplete Measurement Periods would be adjusted to end on the last day of the month before the termination date,
and would be pro-rated based on the portion of each Measurement Period occurring prior to the termination date. For example, if termination
occurs prior to the commencement of a Measurement Period, the weighting attributed to that Measurement Period would be zero, and if termination
occurs exactly half way through a Measurement Period, the Percentage of Total Achieved Performance for that period would be halved (i.e.,
12.5% instead of 25%). The calculated total Achieved Performance Ratio would then be multiplied by the number of unvested PSUs and then
multiplied by the Market Price of New Gold Shares as of the last day of the month before the termination date.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
96 | |
In addition, unless the Board determines otherwise, the entitlement
date for all of a Participant’s Share Units will be accelerated as follows: (i) in the event of the death of the Participant, the
entitlement date will be the date of death; and (ii) in the event of the total disability of the Participant, the entitlement date will
be the date which is 60 days following the date on which the Participant becomes totally disabled.
In the event a resolution is adopted to wind up, dissolve
or liquidate the Company, all Share Units outstanding will immediately vest, and the entitlement date for such Share Units will occur.
Where the entitlement date of the PSU is accelerated, performance for Measurement Periods that have not been completed before the Entitlement
Date or Change of Control will be based on 100% achievement in the case of death or disability or 150% achievement in the case of a Change
of Control.
Awards or payments under the Long Term Incentive Plan to executive
officers are subject to the Company’s Executive Compensation Clawback Policy.
Amendment Provisions
Subject to any applicable regulatory or stock exchange requirements,
the Board may from time to time in its discretion (without shareholder approval) amend, modify and change the provisions of the Long Term
Incentive Plan (including any grant letters), including, without limitation, amendments of a housekeeping nature or any change to the
entitlement date of any Share Units, except that it may not make any of the following amendments to the Long Term Incentive Plan without
first having obtained the approval of a majority of shareholders voting at a shareholders’ meeting:
| (i) | materially increase the benefits to a holder of Share Units who is an insider of the Company, to the material detriment of the Company
and its shareholders; |
| (ii) | increase the number of Shares or maximum percentage of Shares which may be issued pursuant to the Long Term Incentive Plan other than
in the event of a change in the Shares, whether by reason of a stock dividend, consolidation, subdivision or reclassification; |
| (iii) | reduce the range of amendments requiring shareholder approval; |
| (iv) | permit Share Units to be transferred other than for normal estate settlement purposes; |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
97 | |
| (v) | change insider participation limits which would result in shareholder approval being required on a disinterested basis; |
| (vi) | materially modify the eligibility requirements for participation in the Long Term Incentive Plan; |
| (vii) | modify the result that Participants residing in Australia forfeit their rights to any payment or issue of Shares on termination of
such Participants; or |
| (viii) | modify the Ownership Restrictions. |
In addition, any such amendment, modification or change of
any provision of the Long Term Incentive Plan will be subject to the approval, if required, by any stock exchange having jurisdiction
over the securities of the Company.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
98 | |
SCHEDULE
B - BOARD OF DIRECTORS MANDATE
The Board of Directors (the “Board”) has
the responsibility for the overall stewardship of the conduct of the business of New Gold Inc. (the “Company”) and
the activities of management, which is responsible for the day-to-day conduct of the business. The Board’s fundamental objectives
are to enhance and preserve long term shareholder value, and to ensure that the Company meets its obligations on an ongoing basis and
operates in a reliable, sustainable, safe and socially responsible manner. In performing its functions, the Board should also consider
the legitimate interests its other key stakeholders, such as employees, customers, Indigenous peoples and communities in which it operates,
may have in the Company. In overseeing the conduct of the business, the Board, through the President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”),
shall set the standards of conduct for the Company.
| 2. | Composition, Procedures and Organization |
The Board operates by delegating certain of its authorities
to management and by reserving certain powers to itself. The Board retains the responsibility for managing its own affairs, including
selecting its chair (“Chair”), nominating candidates for election to the Board and constituting committees of the Board.
Subject to the Articles of the Company and the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the “Act”), the Board
may constitute, seek the advice of and delegate powers, duties and responsibilities to committees of the Board.
The Chair or any two independent members of the Board may
call a meeting of the Board. A quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board shall be a majority of the number of
directors then in office. The Corporate Secretary of the Company (or in his or her absence, the person appointed by the Chair to take
minutes) shall have the responsibility for taking minutes of all meetings of the Board and for circulating drafts of such minutes to the
Chair promptly following each meeting. The Corporate Secretary of the Company (or in his or her absence, the person appointed by the Chair
to take minutes) shall present draft minutes from the previous meeting at the next succeeding Board meeting for comments, approval and
execution. In the case of an equality of votes at a meeting of the Board, the Chair of the meeting shall not have a second or casting
vote.
The Board shall have access to such officers and employees
of the Company, its external auditors and its legal counsel and to all such information respecting the Company as the Board considers
to be necessary or advisable in order to perform its duties and responsibilities.
| 3. | Duties and Responsibilities |
The Board’s principal duties and responsibilities fall
into a number of categories which are outlined below.
| a. | The Board, together with management, has the responsibility to ensure that legal requirements have been
met and documents and records have been properly prepared, approved and maintained. |
| b. | The Board has the statutory responsibility to: |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
99 | |
| i. | manage or, to the extent it is entitled to delegate such power, supervise the management of the business and affairs of the Company
by the senior officers of the Company; |
| ii. | act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company; |
| iii. | exercise the care, diligence and skill that reasonable, prudent people would exercise in comparable circumstances;
and |
| iv. | act in accordance with its obligations contained in the Act and the regulations thereto, the Company’s
Articles, applicable corporate and securities laws and all applicable stock exchange requirements. |
The Board has the responsibility to ensure
that appropriate structures and procedures are in place to permit the Board to function independently of management, including having
a majority of directors who are “independent” as defined by National Instrument 58-101 - Disclosure of Corporate Governance
Practices (“NI 58-101”) and under applicable stock exchange requirements. The Board, in consultation with the Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee will, at least annually, review the relationship of each director and the Company to determine if
each director is or remains “independent” within the meaning of NI 58-101 and applicable stock exchange requirements.
In addition, the independent directors shall hold an in camera session without the presence of management or any non-independent directors
at each meeting.
In determining the independence of any
member of the Board, the Board will consider all relevant factors, including any relationship a director has with the Company, its management,
its shareholders and other direct or indirect material relationships which could, in the view of the Board, be reasonably expected to
interfere with the exercise of a Board member’s independent judgment.
| 3.3 | Strategy Determination |
The Board has the responsibility to ensure
that there are long term goals and a strategic planning process in place for the Company and to participate, at least annually, with management,
directly or through the Board’s committees, in developing and approving the plan by which the Company proposes to achieve its goals,
which plan takes into account, among other things, the opportunities and risks of the Company’s business with a view to the best
interests and long term sustainability of the Company.
The Board has the responsibility to oversee
the identification and assessment of, and to understand, the principal risks of the business in which the Company is engaged, to ensure
a proper balance is achieved between risks accepted and the potential return to shareholders, to ensure that there are appropriate systems
in place which effectively monitor and manage those risks with a view to the long term viability of the Company, and to ensure the material
business risks are publicly disclosed by the Company in accordance with applicable laws.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
100 | |
| 3.5 | Culture and Sustainability |
The Board has the responsibility to promote
a culture of integrity, ethical leadership, diversity, inclusion and sustainability within the Company, including to oversee the Company’s
overall human resources strategy and the Company’s strategy and practices relating to sustainability (including health, safety,
environmental and corporate social responsibility) matters.
| 3.6 | Division of Responsibilities |
The Board has the power to:
| a. | appoint and delegate responsibilities to committees and/or individual directors where appropriate to do
so; and |
| b. | approve position descriptions for: |
| i. | its individual members and/or the individual members of committees of the Board; |
| ii. | the Chair of the Board; |
| iv. | the Chief Financial Officer. |
The Board shall be responsible for ensuring
that the Company’s officers and the directors and officers of the Company’s subsidiaries, if any, are qualified and appropriate
in keeping with the Company’s corporate governance policies and strategic goals.
To assist it in exercising its responsibilities,
the Board has established four standing committees of the Board: the Audit Committee, the Human Resources and Compensation Committee,
the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Technical and Sustainability Committee. The Board may establish other standing
or ad hoc committees from time to time which will function in accordance with such committee’s charter.
Each committee shall have a written charter
that clearly establishes its purpose, responsibilities, composition, structure and functions. Each committee charter shall be reviewed
by the Board, in consultation with the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, at least annually. The Board is responsible for
appointing the committee members, including the chair of each committee.
| 3.7 | Appointment, Training and Monitoring Senior Management |
The Board has the responsibility, among
other things:
| a. | to appoint and oversee the succession of the CEO, to monitor and assess the CEO’s performance and
effectiveness, to satisfy itself as to the integrity of the CEO, and to provide advice and counsel in the execution of the CEO’s
duties; |
| b. | to develop or approve the corporate goals or objectives that the CEO is responsible for; |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
101 | |
| c. | to approve the appointment of all corporate officers, acting on the advice of the CEO, and to satisfy
itself as to the integrity of such corporate officers; |
| d. | to ensure that adequate provision has been made to train, develop and monitor management and for the orderly
succession of management; |
| e. | to promote a culture of integrity, diversity, inclusiveness and respect throughout the Company; |
| f. | to ensure that management is aware of the Board’s expectations of management; and |
| g. | to avail itself collectively and individually of the open access to the Company’s senior management
and to advise the Chair of the Board of significant matters discussed. |
| 3.8 | Policies, Procedures and Compliance |
The Board has the responsibility:
| a. | to ensure with management that the Company operates at all times within applicable laws, regulations and
ethical standards, including applicable stock exchange requirements; and |
| b. | to approve and monitor compliance with significant policies and procedures by which the Company is operated. |
| 3.9 | Reporting and Communication |
The Board has the responsibility:
| a. | to ensure the Company has in place policies and programs to enable the Company to communicate timely and
effectively with its shareholders, other key stakeholders and the public generally, including having appropriate disclosure controls and
procedures; |
| b. | to ensure that the financial performance of the Company is adequately reported by management to shareholders,
other securityholders and regulators on a timely and regular basis as required by applicable laws and stock exchange requirements, including
having appropriate internal controls over financial reporting; |
| c. | to oversee the external and internal audit functions of the Company; |
| d. | to ensure that reasonable processes are in place to assure the timely and accurate reporting by management
of developments that would reasonably be expected to have a significant or material impact on the market price or value of the Company’s
securities; |
| e. | to report annually to shareholders on its stewardship of the affairs of the Company for the preceding
year; |
| f. | to develop appropriate measures for receiving shareholder feedback; and |
| g. | to develop and oversee the Company’s approach to corporate governance, including the Company’s
corporate governance policies, principles and guidelines. |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
102 | |
| 3.10 | Monitoring and Acting |
The Board has the responsibility:
| a. | to monitor the Company’s progress towards it strategic goals and objectives and to revise and alter
its direction through management in response to changing circumstances or needs; |
| b. | to oversee and approve the overall capital and financial structure of the Company and to review and approve
all material or strategic projects or transactions which exceed threshold levels established by the Board; |
| c. | to take action when performance falls short of its goals and objectives or when other circumstances warrant;
and |
| d. | to ensure that the Company has implemented adequate internal control and management information systems
which ensure the effective discharge of the Board’s responsibilities, including appropriate cyber security and information technology
infrastructure and programs. |
| 3.11 | Membership and Composition |
The Board has the responsibility to determine:
| a. | its appropriate size and composition; |
| b. | the relevant criteria for proposed nominations to the Board, having regard to required skills, expertise
and other qualities, including independence and diversity; |
| c. | any maximum number of boards or other engagements considered appropriate for directors, having regard to whether they are independent
directors or members of management; |
| d. | the recommended compensation of directors for their services in that role, after consideration by the
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee; and |
| e. | the number of meetings of the Board to be held each year; provided that the Board shall meet at least
on a quarterly basis. |
| 3.12 | Education and Assessment |
Members of the Board are expected to
attend all meetings of the Board in person or by telephone or other electronic communications device that permits all members participating
in the meeting to speak and to hear each other, to devote the necessary time and attention to the work of the Board, and to have reviewed
Board materials in advance and be prepared to discuss such materials.
The Board has responsibility to ensure
that a process is in place so that all new directors receive a comprehensive orientation and fully understand the role of the Board and
its committees, the nature and operation of the Company’s business and strategies, the expectations for directors and the contribution
that individual directors are required to make. In addition to an initial orientation, members of the Board are expected to pursue ongoing
educational opportunities, such as in-house and external seminars and conferences, as appropriate to assist them in better performing
their duties, and directors and are encouraged to visit one of the Company’s sites at least once every two years.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
103 | |
Members of the Board will be required
to annually assess their own effectiveness and contribution as directors, and the effectiveness of the Board and its committees.
The Board, and any individual director
with the prior approval of the Board, may retain at the expense of the Company, independent counsel and such advisors as it considers
to be necessary or advisable in order to properly perform its duties and responsibilities.
| 4.1 | The Chair of the Board will provide leadership to directors
in discharging their duties as set out in this Mandate, including by: |
| a. | leading, managing and organizing the Board consistent with the approach to corporate governance adopted
by the Board from time to time; |
| b. | promoting cohesiveness among the directors; |
| c. | being satisfied that the responsibilities of the Board and its committees are well understood and carried
out by the directors; and |
| d. | communicating with members of the Board between meetings of the Board. |
| 4.2 | The Chair will assist the Board in discharging its
stewardship function, including by: |
| a. | presiding over all meetings of shareholders of the Company; |
| b. | together with the Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, reviewing the committees
of the Board, and the composition and chairs of such committees; |
| c. | together with the Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, ensuring that the Board,
committees of the Board, individual directors and senior management of the Company understand and discharge their duties and obligations
under the Company’s system of corporate governance; and |
| d. | consulting with committee chairs and overseeing and monitoring the work of committees of the Board. |
| 4.3 | In addition, in conjunction with the Chair of the Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee, the Chair will ensure that: |
| a. | all directors receive updates to Company policy documents and changes to applicable laws and stock exchange
requirements, including major public policy and regulatory initiatives relating to the Company’s business; |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
104 | |
| b. | regular discussions relating to corporate governance issues and directors’ duties are conducted
at Board meetings; |
| c. | the Company’s policies are reviewed and updated by the Board as new rules or circumstances dictate;
and |
| d. | appropriate funding is available to directors to attend external seminars or conferences relevant to their
positions as directors of the Company. |
| 4.4 | In connection with meetings of the directors, the Chair
will be responsible for the following: |
| a. | scheduling meetings of the directors, including in camera sessions; |
| b. | coordinating with the chairs of the committees of the Board to schedule meetings of the committees; |
| c. | as and when required, coordinating the appointment of ad hoc or special committees of the Board; |
| d. | reviewing items of importance for consideration by the Board; |
| e. | ensuring that all business required to come before the Board is brought before the Board, such that the
Board is able to carry out all of its duties to manage or supervise the management of the business and affairs of the Company; |
| f. | setting the agenda for meetings of the Board; |
| g. | monitoring the adequacy of materials provided to the directors by management in connection with the directors’
deliberations, including the Board’s access to appropriate members of management and employees as required or appropriate; |
| h. | acting as the principal liaison between the Board and the CEO; |
| i. | ensuring that the directors have sufficient time to review the materials provided to them and to fully
discuss the business that comes before the Board; |
| j. | presiding over meetings of the directors, including in camera sessions of the independent directors; and |
| k. | encouraging free and open discussion at meetings of the Board. |
The chair of any duly constituted committee
of the Board will, in addition to such other duties as may be delegated to him or her by the Board or set out in the applicable committee
charter:
| a. | provide leadership to the committee with respect to its functions as described in the committee’s
charter and as otherwise may be appropriate, including overseeing the logistics of the operations of the committee; |
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
105 | |
| b. | chair meetings of the committee, unless not present, including in camera sessions, and report to the Board
following each meeting of the committee on the key findings, activities and any recommendations of the committee; |
| c. | ensure that the committee meets on a regular basis and at the number of times per year required by the
committee’s charter; |
| d. | in consultation with the Chair of the Board and the committee members, establish a calendar for holding
meetings of the committee; |
| e. | establish the agenda for each meeting of the committee, with input from other committee members, the Chair
of the Board, senior management and any other parties, as applicable; |
| f. | act as liaison and maintain communication with the Chair of the Board and the Board to optimize and co-ordinate
input from Board members, and to optimize the effectiveness of the committee. This includes reporting to the full Board on all proceedings
and deliberations of the committee at the first meeting of the Board after each committee meeting and at such other times and in such
manner as the committee chair considers advisable; |
| g. | report annually to the Board on the role of the committee and the effectiveness of the committee’s
role in contributing to the objectives and responsibilities of the Board as a whole; |
| h. | ensure that the members of the committee understand and discharge their duties and obligations; |
| i. | foster ethical and responsible decision making by the committee and its individual members; |
| j. | together with the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, oversee the structure, composition, membership
and activities delegated to the committee from time to time; |
| k. | ensure that resources and expertise are available to the committee so that it may conduct its work effectively
and efficiently and pre-approve work to be done for the committee by consultants or other advisors; |
| l. | facilitate effective communication between members of the committee and management; and |
| m. | perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be delegated to the chair of the committee by the
Board from time to time. |
The
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will annually review this Mandate and submit any recommended changes to the Board for approval.
Last updated, reviewed and approved by
the Board on November 24, 2021.
If you have any questions
or need assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors at 1-866-581-1477 or email
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
106 | |
Exhibit 99.3
Exhibit 99.4
NOTICE
AND ACCESS NOTIFICATION TO SHAREHOLDERS
Dear Shareholder:
You are receiving this notification instead of receiving
a printed copy of New Gold Inc.’s (“New Gold” or the “Company”) management information circular
(the “Circular”) because New Gold is using the notice and access process for the delivery of the Circular to registered
and beneficial shareholders for its annual general meeting of shareholders (the “Meeting”) to be held virtually at
https://web.lumiagm.com/453499456 on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. This notification contains information
on how to access the Circular electronically or obtain a paper copy, as well as information on voting your shares using the form of proxy
or voting instruction form enclosed with this notification. Shareholders that have existing instructions on their account with their
intermediary to receive a printed copy of the Circular or New Gold’s year-end financial statements and management’s discussion
and analysis will receive printed copies. If you have questions about notice and access, you can contact New Gold at 1-833-324-6018.
New Gold has been carefully monitoring developments with respect
to the global health crisis caused by COVID-19. Given the continuing uncertain circumstances in which we collectively find ourselves,
and in light of New Gold’s commitment to the health and well-being of its shareholders, employees, communities and other stakeholders,
New Gold will be conducting the Meeting virtually. Shareholders will not be able to attend the Meeting physically. At the virtual Meeting,
registered shareholders, non-registered (or beneficial) shareholders, and their duly appointed proxyholders will be able to participate,
ask questions, and vote in “real time” through an online portal. Non-registered shareholders must carefully follow the procedures
set out in the Circular or the voting instruction form that accompanies this notice if they wish to appoint themselves as a proxyholder
to vote at the virtual Meeting and ask questions through the live webcast. Non-registered shareholders who do not follow the procedures
set out in the Circular will nonetheless be able to view a live webcast of the Meeting but will not be able to ask questions or vote.
New Gold firmly believes that a virtual Meeting gives all shareholders an equal opportunity to participate, regardless of their geographic
location or the particular constraints, circumstances or risks that they may be facing as a result of COVID-19.
The Meeting
The Meeting will be conducted virtually at https://web.lumiagm.com/453499456
on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at 4:00 pm (Eastern time). The record date for the Meeting is March 14, 2022. In addition to receiving
the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the auditor’s report on those
statements, the following items of business are scheduled to be voted on at the Meeting:
| 1. | electing the directors of the Company; |
| 2. | appointing Deloitte LLP as auditor of the Company and authorizing the directors to fix their remuneration; |
| 3. | considering and, if deemed appropriate, passing, with or without variation, a non-binding advisory resolution on
executive compensation; and |
| 4. | conducting such other business properly brought before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
For detailed information regarding each of the above matters,
please refer to the section of the Circular titled “Business of the Meeting”. New Gold urges shareholders to review the
Circular before voting.
1 | |
The Meeting is not expected to include a formal management
presentation, but there will be an opportunity for shareholders to ask questions.
Accessing Meeting
Materials Online
You may view the Circular, as well as New Gold’s audited
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 and management’s discussion and analysis, online on New
Gold’s website at https://newgold.com/news-events/annual-meeting-of-shareholders/default.aspx
or under New Gold’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
Requesting
Printed Meeting Materials
You may request that a printed copy of the Circular, as well
as New Gold’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 and management’s discussion and
analysis, be sent to you by postal delivery at no cost to you up to one year from the date the Circular was filed on SEDAR.
You may make your request on New Gold’s website, www.newgold.com,
or by calling toll free 1-833-324-6018. To receive your printed Circular in advance of the proxy deposit date and Meeting date,
New Gold must receive your request for a printed copy of the Circular at least seven business days in advance of the proxy deposit date
and time.
Voting Process
If you are a registered shareholder, you will have received
a form of proxy with this notification. If you are a non-registered shareholder, you will have received a voting instruction form or a
form of proxy signed by your intermediary.
Registered shareholders: You may vote online,
by phone or by mail. To vote online, go to www.investorvote.com and follow the instructions on
the screen. You will need to enter your 15-digit control number. To vote by telephone, call toll free in North America 1-866-732-8683
or outside North America 1-312-588-4290. To vote by mail, complete the form of proxy and return it in the envelope provided to:
Computershare Trust Company of Canada
Attention: Proxy Department
8th floor, 100 University Avenue
Toronto, ON, M5J 2Y1
Please refer to your form of proxy or the section of the Circular
titled “Voting Information” for further information.
The deadline for receiving duly completed and executed
forms of proxy or submitting your proxy by telephone or over the Internet is by 4:00 pm (Eastern time) on April 29, 2022, or no later
than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the time of any adjourned or postponed Meeting. The time limit for deposit
of proxies may be waived or extended by the Chair of the Meeting at his or her discretion, without notice.
Non-registered shareholders: You should carefully
follow the instructions of your intermediary, including those regarding when and where the completed proxy or voting instruction form
is to be delivered or otherwise submitted. You may also refer to the section of the Circular titled “Voting Information”
for further information.
There may be deadlines for non-registered shareholders
that are earlier than the deadline for proxies from registered shareholders set out above.
2 | |
ATTENDING AND
VOTING AT THE VIRTUAL MEETING
Registered shareholders will be able to attend, ask questions,
securely vote and otherwise participate in the Meeting in real time, online at https://web.lumiagm.com/453499456.
Registered shareholders can appoint proxyholders by following the instructions in the Circular.
Non-registered shareholders (beneficial shareholders who
hold their common shares through an intermediary such as a securities broker, trustee or financial institution) who have followed the
instructions in the Circular and have duly appointed themselves as proxyholder will also be able to attend, ask questions, securely vote
and otherwise participate in the Meeting in real time, online at https://web.lumiagm.com/453499456.
If a non-registered shareholder has appointed a proxyholder in accordance with the instructions in the Circular, their proxyholder will
be able to attend, ask questions and vote at the virtual meeting on their behalf.
Non-registered (beneficial) shareholders who have not duly
appointed themselves as proxyholder and other interested parties will be able to view a live webcast of the Meeting at https://web.lumiagm.com/453499456
but will not be able to vote or ask questions.
During the Meeting, you must ensure you are connected to the
Internet at all times in order to vote when polling is commenced on the resolutions put before the Meeting. It is your responsibility
to ensure Internet connectivity. You will also need to have the latest version of Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox. Please do not use Internet
Explorer. As internal network security protocols (such as firewalls or VPN connections) may block access to the LUMI meeting platform,
please ensure that you use a network that is not restricted by the security settings of your organization or that you have disabled your
VPN settings. It is recommended that you log in at least an hour before the start of the Meeting.
In
an effort to mitigate any potential issues relating to logging into or participating during the Meeting, the Company has posted a Virtual
AGM User Guide on its website at https://newgold.com/news-events/annual-meeting-of-shareholders/default.aspx,
and filed it on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov,
and shareholders are encouraged to review such user guide prior to the Meeting. Shareholders with questions regarding the virtual meeting
portal or requiring assistance accessing the Meeting website may visit the website https://www.lumiglobal.com/faq
for additional information. Shareholders experiencing technical difficulties or otherwise requiring assistance with the Meeting
website an hour before or during the Meeting can contact technical support at support-ca@lumiglobal.com.
It is recommended including the event name, meeting ID, username and issue when contacting support or having such information available
so that technical support can more quickly provide assistance.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you have any questions or need assistance completing your
form of proxy or voting instruction form, please call Kingsdale Advisors, New Gold’s proxy solicitation agent, at 1-866-581-1477
(toll-free within North America) or 1-416-867-2272 (outside of North America) or email contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
Dated at Toronto, Ontario this 18th day of March,
2022.
Ian Pearce
Chair of the Board
3 | |
This regulatory filing also includes additional resources:
ex992.pdf
New Gold (AMEX:NGD)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
New Gold (AMEX:NGD)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024